KOCHI: According to a source at the Kerala State Beverages Corporation Ltd (BEVCO), Kerala recorded a New Year's Eve alcohol sales record of over Rs 100 crore. According to a source, "that was an all-time record for December 31 and for any other day of the year up to now."On December 31, 2022, around Rs 107 crore worth of alcohol was sold from the 268 BEVCO outlets across the State, the source said.
During the festive season from December 22 to December 31, alcohol worth around Rs 690 crore was sold, he said. According to him, the BEVCO outlet on Powerhouse Road in Thiruvananthapuram reported the highest sales as of December 31, selling alcohol worth Rs. 1.12 crore. "Sales of more than Rs 10 lakh were recorded at every BEVCO location, even those in affluent regions of the State. Such sales have never occurred in those areas, "added the source. The insider added that better logistics, stock availability, and greater Excise Department enforcement against the selling of illegal alcohol were the causes of the increased sales. Of the Rs 690 crore earned over the holiday season, he said that Rs 600 crore will be paid to the government in taxes and charges.