The corporation which virtually holds the monopoly in procurement and distribution of liquor registered sales worth Rs 132 crore in the six days leading to August 31, considered to be the eve of Onam. Even though Onam falls on September 2, liquor outlets or bars won’t remain open on September 1 thanks to the excise law which stipulates that the first of every month shall remain a dry day. For the first time, some smart alec convinced the government to waive this rule for Tuesday so that hooch traders will not make merry on Onam-eve. However, a Division Bench of the Kerala High Court was not quite amused and ruled that there cannot be any difference between September 1 and the first day of any other month.
The Rs 132-crore sales recorded in the six days leading to Onam was Rs 22 crore more than the figures recorded last year.
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