In the last one year, the consumption of liquor in the city has increased by 40 percent. After the Corona period, in a total of nine months from April 1 to December 31, Booze lovers of the capital have consumed about one crore 75 lakh liters of liquor and beer. It includes both domestic and foreign liquor. Its total estimated cost was around Rs 720 crore.
According to the figures of the Excise Department, malt beer has been the most consumed in the city during this period which was 125 percent more than last year. Last year, 81 lakh bulk liters of liquor worth Rs 474 crore were sold even though there was a lockdown for a few days in that year.
There are about 90 liquor shops belonging to 33 groups in the city. Liquor worth about two crore rupees is sold daily from these shops. Excise Controller, Bhopal Sajendra Mori says that in comparison to last year, there has been more consumption of liquor in eight months of this year. About 17 lakh liters of liquor has been sold in November.
Due to the celebration of Christmas, New Year, its consumption in the last week of December has been much higher than last year. This consumption has increased due to the availability of English wine and beer in all shops.
Excise policy experts say that earlier country and English liquor shops used to be separate, but due to the new liquor policy, now English and country liquor along with beer are available at all shops. The reason for the increase in the consumption of malt beer in the capital is its availability at all 90 shops. Till last year, it used to be sold at only 45 shops. Now available at all stores, sales have also increased and revenue has increased.