Liquor sales in Kerala reach 'dizzy heights'
Thiruvananthapuram, April 16 (IANS) Liquor sales in Kerala for the 2010-11 fiscal touched dizzy heights, reaching an all-time high of Rs.6,730.30 crore compared to Rs.5,539.85 crore in 2009-10, according to an official.
According to the Kerala State Beverages Corporation (KSBC), the sole wholesalers in the state, Kerala also got a windfall by way of taxes, its revenue growing from Rs.4,260 crore to Rs.5,239 crore in the same period.
Rum continued to be the most preferred drink for Kerala tipplers, which accounted for over 55 percent of sales followed by brandy (40 percent). Vodka drinkers was just about four percent and the rest were accounted by gin, whisky and wine lovers, said the official.
The KSBC proposal to use the liquor revenue to construct a speciality hospital for providing subsidised health care has been lying with the state government for some time now.