In a development that is sure to grab attention, women now account for more than 50% of the workforce at Kerala State Beverages Corporation (<keyword id="21105310" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="BEVCO" source="keywords">BEVCO</keyword>), the state-run liquor retail chain. This can be looked upon as a significant shift in societal norms, as women take up roles traditionally dominated by men in India's first known instance of women working as sales staff in liquor outlets. One of these women workers, Leena, who has been a salesperson at a BEVCO store in <keyword id="19897366" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Thiruvananthapuram" source="keywords">Thiruvananthapuram</keyword> for two years, initially had reservations about the job. "Initially, I was very worried, as we all considered it a problem. But after six months of working, I started enjoying the job, and we hardly encountered any problems," she told PTI. This progress wasn't without its challenges. Many women and their families were hesitant about working in liquor outlets, but it was the women themselves who fought for the right to be employed at BEVCO. "Ten years ago, women went to court and won their rights to work in BEVCO. Earlier, women were not recruited to work in liquor outlets, and the court directed the government to recruit women as well. Now women comprise more than 50 per cent of our workforce," said <keyword id="23234806" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="harshita-attaluri" source="keywords">Harshita Attaluri</keyword>, Managing Director of KSBC in a statement to PTI. "If there are any complaints of misbehaviour from the side of the consumers, we immediately respond and police take action," Attaluri added. This change also reflects broader societal patterns in Kerala, where women make up more than half of the population. Despite initial concerns about long working hours, most of the women working in BEVCO stores report positive experiences with customers. "Our only problem is the long working hours. But any other job would have its own challenges," shared Sangeetha, another salesperson. "We find most of the customers who come to our outlets as friendly and cooperative," she added. She also revealed how her family is now her biggest supporter. "My husband is my biggest support and encourages me to work. This is a safer place to work," she said. Shop managers have also noted a positive shift in customer behavior with women behind the counter. Ashok, who manages a BEVCO store in Pattam, Thiruvananthapuram, told PTI, "With women at the sales counter, there is a marked improvement in consumer behaviour. When they see women at the counter, they are more gentle and well-behaved." The success of women in BEVCO has encouraged more women to apply for jobs through competitive exams. Women are not only working in sales but are also placed in administrative roles and warehouses. The corporation’s leadership reflects this shift as well, with a female Managing Director and a woman overseeing operations as Assistant General Manager (AGM). (With PTI inputs)

State-run liquor outlets in Kerala have more than 50 percent female sales staff

Tipplers in Kerala, who are <keyword id="9903595" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="regular-drinkers">regular drinkers</keyword> at the numerous bars in the state, are set to return to their favourite watering holes, since the State Excise department on Tuesday wrote to <keyword id="6362682" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="chief-minister-pinarayi-vijayan">Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan</keyword> seeking permission to re-open them. Earlier, the Excise department had submitted a report to State <keyword id="9903596" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="excise-minister-t-p-ramakrishnan">Excise Minister T.P.Ramakrishnan</keyword> saying that as part of the unlock norms of the Centre, bars have been opened in the neighbouring states of <keyword id="20154" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="tamil-nadu">Tamil Nadu</keyword> and Karnataka. Ramakrishnan,in turn, has passed the file to CM Vijayan. Hence it's only a matter of time before permission is given to bars in Kerala, too, to re-open and operate according to unlock norms. The department also pointed out that at present liquor and beer is available through bars at the same rates at the state-owned <keyword id="4345307" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Retail-Liquor-Outlets">retail liquor outlets</keyword>. As a result, retail outlets of the state-owned <keyword id="1000183" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Beverages-Corporation">Beverages Corporation</keyword> had lost their market share causing a revenue loss. Bar owners have also been demanding that the <keyword id="6356705" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="pinarayi-vijayan">Pinarayi Vijayan</keyword> government give permission to resume normal bar services. The more than 500 bars in the state in the private sector have been closed since the last week of March. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/route-mobile-the-firm-behind-your-otps-600-crore-new-ipo-opens-tomorrow/articleshow/77996657.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">INTERVIEW: Route Mobile, the firm behind your OTPs, promoter reveals plan to tap the Apple ecosystem⁠</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/crypto-bugs-found-in-306-android-apps/articleshow/77997251.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Crypto bugs found in 306 Android apps</a>

Bars in Kerala may re-open soon, excise department seeks permission from CM

<ul><li>Kerala is discouraging public gatherings but is yet to shut down its liquor shops.</li><li>People waiting in queues outside these state-run establishments are being directed to stand at least a meter apart by the local authorities.</li><li>One man who tried to petition the Kerala High Court for home delivery of alcohol was fined ₹50,000.</li></ul>Coronavirus may be on the prowl but Kerala isn’t shutting down its liquor shops — and demand doesn’t seem to be shrinking either. The one thing that has changed is social distancing. People standing in queues outside state-run establishments are maintaining a distance of a few feet between them to reduce the chance of an infection. A few videos also surfaced of guards asking people to maintain at least a meter of space between them. <div type="javascript" title="Facebook" contenttype="Image"><cdata><![CDATA[
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 However, some reports suggest that the videos of social distancing at liquor stores is only optics. Reporters with <a href="https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/covid-19-videos-social-distancing-kerala-liquor-shops-just-optics-120723">TNM</a> saw a very different picture on the ground. One brave soul petitioned the Kerala High Court to make way for the home delivery of alcohol. Instead, he was slapped with a ₹50,000 fine as per <a href="https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/online-liquor-delivery-to-home-154132">LiveLaw</a>’s report. The case for home delivery of alcohol The petitioner argued that since alcohol shops were crowded during peak hours, it’s not safe for him to go out and actually buy what he needed. Instead, he suggested alternative ways in which delivery would be feasible during the Coronavirus outbreak. 
 <div type="image" title="kerala3_edited" msid="74732924" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Liquor bottles being arranged at the renovated BEVCO outlet on the power house&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>



 However, Judge Nambiar was not amused. “It is with a deep sense of exasperation and a tinge of disgust that I write this judgment,” he said. “The petitioner's conduct in filing this frivolous petition at a time like this, while making a mockery of the salutary concept of access to justice — which this institution strives to guarantee — also ridiculous the functioning of this noble institution,” he added before instructing the petitioner to address the costs and send them to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund. Liquor makes the government money Even though the state government has called for people to avoid leaving the house and restrict public gatherings — there is no plant to shut down liquor shops. Revenue from liquor sales in a major source of income for Kerala. 
 <div type="image" title="kerala4_edited" msid="74732939" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Staff unloading liquor bottles at a bar in Kozhikode&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>



 During 2018-19, sales reached an all-time high of ₹14,508 crore, which means the government gets a cut of around ₹2,521 crore as excise duty. Sources at the Kerala State Beverages Corporation told the <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/south/covid-19-keralas-liquor-shops-open-for-revenue-813994.html">Deccan Herald</a> that despite the emergency around Coronavirus, there hasn’t been much of a fall in liquor sales. Others within the government feel that the shutting down of liquor shops may trigger alcoholics to drink copious amounts of alcohol in the name of stocking up before stores shut down. This could lead to a more dangerous situation, sources told <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/coronavirus-scare-social-distancing-for-keralas-tipplers/articleshow/74731096.cms">ET</a>. To ensure that necessarily precautions are taken, local authorities have posted additional guards at every Indian-made foreign liquor outlet to enforce social distancing. The police have distributed masks, gloves and hand sanitizers for the staff at these shops. <div type="javascript" title="Facebook" contenttype="Video"><cdata><![CDATA[
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 See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/while-pm-modi-called-for-a-janata-curfew-the-kerala-government-implemented-some-serious-steps/articleshow/74717250.cms">While PM Modi called for a 'janata curfew', the Kerala government implemented some serious steps</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/coronavirus-updates-in-india-and-steps-taken-by-narendra-modi-government/articleshow/74723667.cms">A look at Indian government response to coronavirus, so far, shows some quick reactions but not enough foresight</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/stages-of-coronavirus-and-how-they-determine-the-status-of-a-country/articleshow/74728639.cms">Stages of Coronavirus and how they determine the status of a country</a>

Coronavirus isn’t shutting down liquor shops in Kerala, and cheeky home delivery suggestions earn a ₹50,000 fine

E-commerce giant Amazon and Alibaba-backed <keyword id="964794" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="BigBasket">BigBasket</keyword> have got approval to deliver liquor in West Bengal, according to a document. Online grocery platform BigBasket said this will be the company's first foray into the country's liquor delivery segment. The clearance also signals Amazon's entry into the space, likely for the first in India. State-owned West Bengal State Beverages Corporation Ltd (BevCo) invited the two companies to sign the agreements for empanelment for home delivery after finding them eligible, as per a notice dated June 19. BevCo, the sole wholesaler of liquor in West Bengal, also invited two Kolkata-based companies -- Senrysa Technologies Pvt Ltd and Golden Goenka Commerce Pvt Ltd for the signing of agreements. Asked when BigBasket would start operations, its CEO Hari Menon told PTI, "I cannot confirm now how soon we will start, but yes it will be the first for the company." Amazon did not comment on the approval. Food ordering platforms <keyword id="830092" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Zomato">Zomato</keyword> and <keyword id="6358977" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="swiggy">Swiggy</keyword> have already started delivering alcohol in West Bengal with Kolkata and Siliguri after getting the required approvals, followed by the signing of agreements. Retailer Spencer's and HipBar have also joined the fray as the government allowed <keyword id="9025707" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="home-delivery-of-alcohol">home delivery of alcohol</keyword> to reduce footfall at stores amid the coronavirus outbreak. Another eight lesser-known companies, who expressed interest in alcohol delivery, have been asked by BevCo to demonstrate the capabilities of their platforms in executing online orders. Jharkhand was the first state in the country to allow home delivery of liquor by online platforms.

After Zomato and Swiggy, Amazon and Alibaba-backed BigBasket clearance to home deliver liquor in West Bengal

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/52447156.cms" style="width: 800px; height: 600px;" /> 
(Image credit: K.K. Mustafah/Hindu) 
 
 <keyword id="3379355" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Yogita-Raghuvanshi">Yogita Raghuvanshi</keyword> wears many sleeves. She is trained in <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=law&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">law</a>, a mother of two undergraduate students and since 2000- a <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=truck+driver&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">truck driver</a>, who’s been driving across the length and breadth of the country. 
 
Her surprising choice of occupation was a result of an ill-fated marriage and a resolve to make ends meet for her family. 
 
Yogita, who is originally from <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=uttar+pradesh&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Uttar Pradesh</a> but grew up in Nandurbar, Maharashtra along with her four siblings was a keen student and earned degrees in both commerce and law. 
 
In 1991, she was married off to a man from <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=bhopal&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Bhopal,</a> whose family claimed that he was a lawyer practicing in the Bhopal High Court before the marriage. Unfortunately for her, that claim turned out to be a lie and became the foundation for an extremely unhappy marriage. 
 It was when her husband passed away in a road accident 16 years ago, did Yogita consider the decision to work as a <keyword id="53056" type="POSITION" weightage="100" keywordseo="truck-driver">truck driver</keyword> taking on the tough and risky life of the highways, despite being academically qualified. 
 
At that time, what she needed was instant money to support her family and two children and driving the big trucks gave her that. She realised that the amount she would earn being employed in a field of law as a beginner would not have been enough for her circumstances. 
 
“If I had opted to be a junior to some lawyer and enter the legal profession, I would have got only a pittance for the many initial years. But I learnt that driving trucks meant instant wages,” Yogita explained. 
 
 <img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/52447137.cms" style="width: 800px; height: 600px;" /> 
(Image credit: Youtube) 
 Naturally, her journey as India’s most qualified woman <keyword id="46652" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Truck">truck</keyword> driver began with snide comments and hostile stares but Yogita wasn’t one to give up. She worked her way through all the obstacles and is now a confident woman working in a male dominated field and providing for her two children. 
 
What more, by 2013, she had already managed to drive more than 5 lakh kilometres. 
 
Now, in her late forties, Yogita can expertly maneuver a 14-wheeler truck with its 30-tonne-cargo through the busy lanes of the country. 
 
This week for example, she had driven a liquor consignment all the way from Bhopal to a Kerala State Beverages Corporation godown. 
 If nothing, Yogita is an <keyword id="6387628" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Inspiration">inspiration</keyword> for women across the country for her courage, resolve and never say die attitude,

You Searched For "Kerala State Beverages Corporation BEVCO" and got 5 results

State-run liquor outlets in Kerala have more than 50 percent female sales staff

BI India Bureau

Bars in Kerala may re-open soon, excise department seeks permission from CM

IANS

Coronavirus isn’t shutting down liquor shops in Kerala, and cheeky home delivery suggestions earn a ₹50,000 fine

Prabhjote Gill

After Zomato and Swiggy, Amazon and Alibaba-backed BigBasket clearance to home deliver liquor in West Bengal

PTI

Meet the most qualified Indian truck driver, who’s also a mother of two

Poulomi Das