Thiruvananthapuram: The Consumerfed has proposed to open special counters at beverages outlets for those who have booked online. It has also decided to close all the 755 ‘Nanma’ stores in the state that are not profitable, new chairman M. Mehaboob told reporters here on Thursday. Consumerfed, a cooperative venture under the state government, has been suffering a loss of more than Rs 3.5 crore monthly throughthe ‘Nanma’ stores. Selling liquor online could attract VIP customers, who otherwise were hesitant to buy liquor by standing in long queues.
“Ahead of Onam, 59 more brands of alcohol will be added to the list to attract the tipplers, and expensive brands would be made available online for the high-profile people,” he said. Though the bottles can be purchased online, they will not be delivered at the address. Instead, those who book liquor can send others with a receipt and a separate counter would be opened at the outlets. Already, Consumerfed has 36 liquor outlets and three beer units, he said.
Though Mr Mehaboob at first said at the Press Club here that the Consumerfed had taken a decision on the online sale of liquor, he corrected himself saying it was only a proposal as soon as channels flashed the news. Excise Minister T.P. Ramakrishnan also said here on Thursday that the department had not yet received such a proposal from Consumerfed and would consider it when it comes. He added that already a suggestion by Tourism Minister A.C. Moideen on liquor sale to tourists was before him.
The tourism sector was hit on account of the previous government’s liquor policy, he said. Mr Mehaboob said that the closure of loss-making Triveni supermarkets will be decided after Onam. He added that 68 mobile units out of the total 140 were under repair and would be put for public auction. The 2,500 Onam fairs will be spread to tribal colonies and coastal zones.
“There are only four Nanma stores with a monthly profit of more than Rs 5000. There are 188 stores without even a turnout of Rs 500. The Consumerfed will intervene in the open market to check price rise,” he said. Yuva Morcha state president advocate K.P. Prakash condemned the plan for online liquor sale and said that it was the result of a deal with the liquor lobby’s support during the Assembly election.
