God's own Tippler

First they tell us that 'God's own people' are quittin' the bottle, recession n' all. But now it seems they are hell bent on gettin' tipsier.

The Hindu reports that Beverages Corporation (BEVCO), one of the few profit-making public sector companies in the State and a monopoly in liquor trade, sold Rs.41.38 crore worth of liquor for the Christmas festival on December 23 and 24. This was one-third more than the liquor sales of the same days last year, reflecting a high rate of growth of alcohol consumption in the State. On the two days prior to Christmas last year, Keralites purchased Rs.30.60 crore worth of liquor. The hike also fits well with the double-digit percentage increase in liquor sales registered over the past several years.

Hic!