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In its liquor policy announced in April, the Kerala government allowed the opening of 'specially designated areas within IT parks' that will facilitate the serving of liquor.
Sources in the monopoly liquor stockist and retailer claimed top-selling brands of smaller volumes and lower prices are no longer supplied to outlets.
Ooty: A system has been put in place in the Nilgiris district, under which each used liquor bottle returned to liquor shops will fetch Rs 10 apiece. The government is pasting stickers on liquor bottles being sold from TASMAC (The Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited) shops for this
Even though a government order does not specify the number, BEVCO expects at least 68 more fresh outlets.
The hike will be effected only after a policy decision on the matter, Excise Minister M V Govindan announced.
All 14 districts will have new liquor outlets with Idukki and Ernakulam set to have eight each.
The shortage ahead of festival season is likely to affect the revenue of liquor outlets.
If the developer or co-developer is unwilling to operate the liquor outlets, it shall be awarded to an outside agency with five-star hotel experience, the Department proposed.
The 11 distilleries are licensed to produce spirit and manufacture liquor in the State, but they have been bringing spirit from outside the State, despite Kerala having eight other licensed blending units.
At present, there are beer manufacturing centres only in Chalakudy, Kanjikode and Cherthala.