THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Excise minister T P Ramakrishnan said in the assembly that in 2017-18, there has been an increase in the revenue from liquor sales in the state. An increase in revenue of Rs 671 crore was recorded when compared to the previous years.
While listing out the revenue received through liquor sales in the state in each year, the minister said the government received a revenue of Rs 8,277cr in 2014-15, Rs 9,787 cr in 2015-16, Rs 10,353cr in 2016-17 and Rs 11,024 cr in 2017-18.
He said after the LDF government came to power, 282 bars which were converted as beer parlours were given liquor licence. Apart from this, new bar licences for 99 hotels were also given.
Most new licences were given in Ernakulam (18) followed by Kollam (11), Kottayam and Thrissur (9), Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha and
Palakkad (8), Idukki and Kannur (7), Kozhikode (5), Pathanamthitta (4), Kasaragod (3) and
Malappuram (2). The only district where no bar license was issued is Wayanad.
The previous UDF government had implemented a 5% cess on the liquor for the rehabilitation for those who lost jobs during the closure of bars after they changed liquor policy. Through this the beverages corporation has received a fund of Rs 1,058.89 crore, said the minister. As per the orders issued by the UDF government, Rs 10,000 each was allocated to those who lost jobs. Those who lost lives or committed suicide were given Rs 2 lakh each. Apart from this, a festival package was offered to those who lost jobs during the Onam season on which Rs 3.5 crore was spent.
