Record sale of liquor reported in Jaipur during Holi holidays

JAIPUR: There has been a significant surge in the practice of celebrating festivals by consuming alcohol in Rajasthan in recent years. This trend has been especially noticeable during Holi when people are indulging in excessive alcohol consumption. According to recent reports, the sale of liquor during Holi-Dhulandi amounted to over Rs. 100 crores in the state.

The state had been preparing for this surge in demand well in advance, as the godowns had stocked up on liquor three days prior to Dhulandi, which fell on March 7 this year. The godowns had to ensure that they had an adequate supply of alcohol to cater to the increased demand during the festive season.

Based on a report received from the Excise Department, it has been revealed that the retail shop operators in Rajasthan lifted liquor worth Rs. 113.25 crores from the godowns on March 4, 5, and 6. Out of this total amount, 46% of the stock, worth Rs. 52.50 crores, comprised beer alone.

As the summer season approaches, the demand for beer has significantly increased, leading to a surge in its consumption during Holi. This has resulted in the consumption of beer on Holi being twice as much as that on New Year. It is evident that beer has emerged as a popular choice among consumers during the festive season, owing to its refreshing and cooling effect.

In addition to beer, the sale of English liquor during Holi was also substantial, amounting to Rs. 58.34 crore. It is worth noting that the sale of liquor during festivals generates significant revenue for the government, but it is equally important to ensure that the consumption of alcohol is done in a responsible manner, and measures should be taken to prevent incidents of excessive drinking and related risks.

During the New Year celebration on December 31, 2022, in the state of Rajasthan, it was reported that liquor worth Rs. 111 crores was lifted from the godowns in the two days leading up to the event. The stock was lifted on December 30 and 31, in preparation for the increased demand during the festive season.

It is noteworthy that during the New Year celebrations, the share of beer in the total liquor stock lifted was only 18%, worth Rs. 20 crore, while the share of English liquor was more than 70%. This indicates that during the New Year celebrations, people in Rajasthan preferred to consume English liquor over beer.