Liquor worth Rs 61cr consumed in city on Holi

Kanpur: Citizens of Kanpur consumed liquor to the tune of Rs 61 crore on the occasion of Holi this year. Foreign liquor remained on top in demand followed by country-made liquor while beer stood at the third place.
According to the excise department sources, liquor shops of the city witnessed 8 per cent rise in sale of liquor on Holi this year in comparison to last year. Strict vigil to check the sale of illicit liquor might be the cause behind rise in the sale.
District excise officer Arvind Maurya said that from March 8 to 9 shops sold liquor to the tune of Rs 61.10 crore. Around 1.98 lakh bottles worth Rs 48.60 crore of foreign liquor were sold while country-made liquor also remained in demand. Around 4.57 lakh litre country-made liquor worth Rs 10.74 crore and beer worth Rs. 2.30 crore was consumed in these two days, he said.
Maurya said that despite less number of liquor shops, sale broke the record of last year. License of 149 out of 221 foreign liquor shops were renewed in current financial year, he said adding that licences of 257 out of 341 country-made liquor shops were renewed while licences of 97 of 196 beer shops were renewed.
The department had sought online applications for renewal of remaining licences and applications online by March 16, said the official.