KOZHIKODE: The first premium liquor supermarket launched by the Kerala State Beverages Corporation Ltd. (Bevco) on O.P. Raman Road near the district collectorate here a month ago has drawn both bouquets and brickbats. While it has not started its service owing to the protests by various political parties, including the BJP youth wing Yuva Morcha and other organisations, the boozers ask, ‘why not a Bevco supermarket?’
Tony Joy, a banker, said, “such a facility is helpful to people like me who drink occasionally. It will avoid the hassles at the beverages outlets,” he said. Vishnudath Kuniyil, a city resident said, “the protesters are not worried about the outlet functioning on the ground floor of the supermarket building, while they create a hue and cry for the premium outlet.” Malaparamba ward councillor K.C. Shobitha said that the premium outlet will disturb nearly 300 families residing in the locality and the consumption will also go up.
Mahila Morcha state general secretary Jaya Sadanandan felt the two outlets in a same locality will attract more boozers and hit the peaceful life of the residents. Bevco manager P. Subair said the protesters kept quiet when they announced the shifting of the outlet from Pavamani Road to here. "If one could buy liquor from the retail outlet, why not from the supermarket," he asked. The facility was introduced as part of the government's decision to upgrade one outlet as a model to provide more choice and a supermarket feel.
It promises to get rid of the queue. The supermarket will have only rum priced above Rs 500 a bottle and brandy and whisky with a price tag of Rs 700 and above. Beer will be sold at Rs 100 and above while wine starts at Rs 600. The posh outlet is expected to meet the requirements of customers who opt for premium brands.
