Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 26 (NationPress) Drinkers in Kerala indulged in beer and liquor valued at Rs 152.06 crore over the two Christmas days (December 24-25), according to data released by the Kerala State Beverages Corporation, the exclusive wholesalers for alcoholic beverages in the state.

Interestingly, there has been a significant rise in sales compared to the 2023 Christmas period, which recorded sales of Rs 122.14 crore.

Alcoholic beverages are sold through 277 retail outlets owned by the Corporation, while a state-backed cooperative organization, Consumerfed, operates an additional 39 retail outlets.

On December 24, sales reached Rs 97.42 crore, while on Christmas day, sales amounted to Rs 54.64 crore.

Given the surge in sales and with only one quarter remaining in the current fiscal year, it is expected that the sales will surpass those of the previous fiscal year, which saw liquor and beer sales soaring to Rs 19,088.68 crore, an increase from Rs 18,510.98 crore in 2022-23.

Over the years, the Kerala state exchequer has thrived due to the taxes accrued from beer and liquor sales, generating a remarkable Rs 16,609.63 crore last fiscal year, up from Rs 16,189.55 crore in 2022-23.

Data indicates that around 32.9 lakh individuals out of the 3.34 crore population in Kerala consume alcohol, comprising 29.8 lakh men and 3.1 lakh women.

Approximately five lakh people consume liquor daily, with 83,851 individuals, including 1,043 women, identified as alcohol-dependent.

All eyes are now on the Pinarayi Vijayan government to unveil the long-awaited liquor policy, which has faced criticism from various sectors.

The draft liquor policy proposes to eliminate 'dry days'—when liquor outlets are closed (the first of each month is designated as a dry day)—in addition to boosting the production of affordable liquor and wine from fruits, as well as increasing the overall liquor production in the state, given that 80 percent of the liquor sold in Kerala is sourced from other states.