Kerala State Beverages Corporation (BEVCO) CMD Harshita Attaluri, IPS, has confirmed that the corporation is moving ahead with a mobile app to let customers book, pay for, and receive liquor. Speaking to the media, she said the rollout will be in two phases. “We will first have an application where customers can select the liquor bottle they want, pay for it online, and pick it up without waiting in the queue at our outlets. Then, with the government's approval, we will have an app where the liquor will be delivered at the doorstep,” she said.

Kerala Local Administration and Excise Minister M B Rajesh, however, said such policy matters are decided by the Cabinet and must be announced by the Minister. “I have clearly said many times earlier that the government is not considering the delivery of liquor through online apps. We already have a liquor policy, and there is no provision for online delivery of liquor,” he said.

Attaluri said the proposal is not new and was submitted to the government three years ago. “People are buying everything online and there is no issue in delivering it online. It is a legal business and I do not see any problem in delivering it to the customers through an online application. The application is in its final stage of development and would be ready in another 10 to 15 days,” she added.