Kochi: As the Kochi-based startup Faircode Technologies faces the heat over the glitch-ridden BevQ, the developers of the liquor app remain unreachable.
Even director board members have refused to pick up the phone or offer an explanation on the flaws in the app. The startup firm had developed the app for the Beverages’ Corporation (BEVCO) to facilitate liquor sales in Kerala via a virtual booking system.
The startup’s office on the Chelavannur Road at Elamkulam in Ernakulam has been locked from inside. Only few employees turned up for work on Friday. One of the staff, who stepped out, told reporters that the company owners were out of town and the employees have been asked not interact with media.
The posts on BevQ that were put up by the Faircode Technologies on their Facebook page after May 16 have been removed. These posts were available on the FB page till Thursday. The firm had been replying to various queries on the app via the FB page. However, all this have been stopped now.
Complaints and criticisms continue to be raised against the app. Desperate tipplers are venting out their rage on social media platforms. Irate netizens are putting up memes and comments on the firm’s FB page.
Case against Angamaly bar
With the virtual system failing, several people turned up at the bars and BEVCO outlets, seeking to buy liquor without token.
A case has been filed against a bar in Angamaly for selling liquor without the token and violating lockdown norms. Certain other bars too were discreetly selling liquor without tokens.
Ernakulam range excise deputy commissioner A S Ranjith said that currently no permission has been given to sell liquor without token. And that action will be taken against those selling liquor without tokens.
Large number of people gathered outside a bar in Ettumanoor in Kottayam and the police had to intervene to disperse the crowd. In another instance at Pathadipalam in Kalamassery, tipplers maintained social distancing but the queue stretched on to the National Highway.