Deccan Herald: Mangalore: Sunday, March 17, 2013.
Despite
Kerala having the highest per capita consumption of alcohol in the country, the
state government seems indifferent to the dubious tag since liquor happens to
be a major source of revenue.
The Economic
Survey Review, 2012, released by state Finance Minister K M Mani on Thursday in
Thiruvananthapuram, showed that liquor consumption in Kerala was more than 1.76
gallons per person, followed by Maharastra and Punjab. Revenue generated from liquor sale during
2012-13 (till February), including the state beverage outlets and private bars,
was Rs 8,086 crore. Liquor sale through the beverage outlets was Rs 433 crore.
Despite a hue
and cry being raised from all quarters every time such figures are disclosed, there has
been no change in the trend.
The media has
been consistently reporting on the money people in Kerala spend for alcohol
during “Onam,” “Vishu” and New Year’s eve, but to no avail.
An
embarrassed state government had even instructed the beverage corporation
authorities last year to hold back alcohol consumption figures during the
festive seasons.
A response to
an RTI query by P Raveendran of Kasargod makes a few startling revelations as
well.
It was learnt
that during 2012-13 (up to January), the state spent Rs 70 lakh through the
excise department for campaigning against drugs. The amount spent during
2011-12 for the same purpose was around Rs 1.2 crore.
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