Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala’s per capita consumption of alcohol remains low when compared to other southern states such as Tamil Nadu, Andhra and Karnataka, excise minister T.P. Ramakrishnan informed the assembly on Wednesday.
For a population of 3.34 crore, the state has 306 outlets selling liquor, while the corresponding figures for Tamil Nadu is seven crores and 6,000.
In Karnataka, there are 8,734 outlets catering to the needs of its six crore people, whereas in Andhra, which has a population of eight crores, there are 6,505 beverage outlets.
There was a slight drop in the sale of Indian-made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), but beer sales soared across the state during past one year, the minister said.
Replying to a question asked by M.M. Mani MLA, the minister said there was a significant increase in the number of cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act following the implementation of the existing liquor policy.
In 2013, there were 7,93 such cases, while in 2014, the number rose to 970. This year, until august, as many as 1,789 cases have been registered, the minister said.
The cases pertaining to smuggling and transportation of ganja have been 947 so far this year. As many as 3,448 persons have been booked on charges of storage, sale or distribution of pan masala and other banned products. The excise department has initiated action against 231 persons for selling tobacco products near educational institutions, the minister added.