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In today’s market, where convenience is the king, it's getting increasingly possible to get almost everything under the Sun home-delivered in urban India. But not the alcohol! Now, major players like <keyword id="19896956" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Swiggy" source="keywords">Swiggy</keyword>, Zomato, <keyword id="20069203" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Blinkit" source="keywords">Blinkit</keyword>, and BigBasket are eyeing this lucrative opportunity, ready to transform the way we enjoy our evenings (or feed our vices depending on how one takes it). As regulations offer hopes of loosening with the rising consumer demand, the question on everyone's mind is: will <keyword id="22432889" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="alcohol-home-delivery" source="keywords">alcohol home delivery</keyword> become the new norm? As per the media reports, the quick commerce platforms might soon start delivering low-alcohol drinks like beer, wine, and liqueurs, at least in some parts of the country. A report from the Economic Times reveals that states like New Delhi, Karnataka, Haryana, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Goa, and Kerala are thinking about trying out this service. Industry executives say that authorities are currently looking at the advantages and disadvantages of allowing alcohol deliveries. <h2>State authorities collecting feedback</h2>State authorities are reportedly collecting views from <keyword id="22432890" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="instant-delivery-platforms" source="Orion">instant delivery platforms</keyword> and spirit manufacturers for assessing the pros and cons of delivering low-alcohol liquors. "This is to cater to a growing expat population, especially in larger cities, changing profiles of consumers who perceive moderate alcohol-content spirits as recreational drinking along with meals, and women and senior citizens who have flagged buying from traditional liquor vends and shop-front experiences as unpleasant," one of the executives told Economic Times. According to the ET report, only Odisha and West Bengal allow home delivery of alcohol at the moment. During the COVID-19 lockdown, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Assam also allowed it temporarily, and it was successful despite some restrictions and hurdles. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111758782" title="Zomato and Swiggy increase platform fee by 20% – food deliveries to get costlier" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> <h2>Enthusiasm grows across sectors</h2>Retail industry executives say that online alcohol deliveries have increased sales by 20-30% in West Bengal and Odisha. Although the idea of online home delivery of liquor faced several challenges including political backlash and pressure from physical retail bodies. For now Swiggy and Spencer’s retail delivers spirits in West Bengal. Dinker Vashisht, vice president of corporate affairs at Swiggy said “Online models ensure end-to-end transaction records, age verification and adhere to limits. Further, online tech stacks synchronise with regulatory and excise requirements, ensuring adherence to timings, dry days and zonal delivery guardrails” Beer manufacturers like United Breweries and AB InBev are also interested in this concept, an industry executive told ET. “Beer blends more with grocery shopping, especially for consumers in big cities, and needs to be chilled, which limits its visibility in liquor vends.” In 2020, AB InBev started Beerbox, a platform that listed places delivering alcohol within a 3-4 km range. This was after Maharashtra temporarily allowed home deliveries during the pandemic. Overall, as regulations, consumer demand, and the capacity of online quick-commerce platforms align, the days of cancelling the evening plans to avoid stepping out to buy alcohol might soon be behind us. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/jio-financials-gets-rbi-nod-to-become-core-investment-company/articleshow/111677548.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Jio Financials gets RBI nod to become Core Investment Company</a>

Will alcohol home delivery be a reality soon? Swiggy, Zomato, and Blinkit smell an opportunity

India’s alcohol consumption has increased by 38% between 2010 and 2017, said a Lancet study that analysed alcohol intake in 189 countries between 1990 and 2017. In 2007, the alcohol consumption in India was at 4.3 litres per adult per year which increased to 5.9 litres. This rise is much steeper than what’s seen in other countries. For the same period, the per adult alcohol consumption in the US rose from 9.3 litres to 9.8 litres. The growth in China too was marginal, as it went up from 7.1 to 7.4 litres per adult,<a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/cons-products/liquor/indias-alcohol-intake-up-by-38pc-in-seven-years-lancet-study/articleshow/69231992.cms"> said Economic Times</a> citing the study. It should also be noted that the average per adult consumption of alcohol in India, is much lower than its in the US. Up by 70% Globally too, the popularity of alcohol is increasing. Between the years 1990 and 2017, which is 27 years, global alcohol consumption increased by 70%. The total volume of alcohol intake rose from 20,999 million litres in 1990 to 35,676 million litres in 2017. Alcohol consumption in high-income countries witnessed constant growth but it has been growing in low and middle-income countries as well. Before 1990, Europe had recorded the highest level of alcohol use. However, the study forecasts that Europe will not hold that title for long. Going ahead, the world will drink more, and more people will drink as well. The research <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/cons-products/liquor/indias-alcohol-intake-up-by-38pc-in-seven-years-lancet-study/articleshow/69231992.cms">also suggests </a>that almost half the adults across the world will consume alcohol by 2030 whereas a quarter of them will become binge drinkers. Binge drinkers are those people who drink 60 grammes or more pure alcohol in one or more sittings, in a month. Starting Young Indians are not just drinking more, they are drinking dangerously as well. As many as 57 million people are facing the after-effects of alcohol addiction. A <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/mail-today/story/most-delhi-youth-drink-before-legal-age-claims-survey-1455638-2019-02-14">survey</a> by the Community Against Drunken Driving (CADD) revealed that over 88% of youth below 25, consume or purchase alcohol though it’s illegal. Punjab, Goa, Tripura, Chhattisgarh and Arunachal Pradesh rank high on alcohol consumption. However, Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of alcohol drinkers in India. Regulating alcohol A few state governments like Bihar, <keyword id="6354766" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gujarat">Gujarat</keyword>, Mizoram and Nagaland, have prohibited the sale of alcohol. States like Kerala, Bihar, Tamil Nadu have imposed variety prohibition since 2016, reported Economic Times. The state government of Rajasthan allows sale of liquor only until 8.30 in the evening. India has also witnessed an increase in the number of drunken driving cases. According to <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/with-46-lakh-traffic-violations-in-2018-fine-collection-doubled-to-rs-54-crore/articleshow/67596677.cms">reports</a>, fines from drunk driving in India in 2018 alone, was at around ₹6 crore.

India witnessed 38% surge in alcohol consumption in seven years —and it isn’t going to slow: Study

<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

<ul><li>Kerala’s <keyword id="6958454" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="liquor-home-delivery">liquor home delivery</keyword> app, BevQ, has fallen to a 2.1 rating on the <keyword id="6369511" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="google-play-store">Google Play Store</keyword>. </li><li>Even though BevQ was able to garner more than 100,000 downloads in less than 24 hours, many users have since reported multiple glitches in its functioning.</li><li>From issues of OTP generation to liquor delivery time slots on being available been 3:45 am to 9:00 am, more than 60% of the BevQ’s reviews at rated 1-star.</li></ul>Kerala’s liquor home delivery app, BevQ, has fallen from grace in record time. Currently, it holds a 2.1 rating on the Google Play Store with more than 60% of its over 30,000 reviews giving it only 1 star. BevQ was launched with a lot of fanfare by Kerala Excise Minister TP Ramakrishnan on May 26 as a way of avoiding overcrowding at alcohol shops. It even crossed over one lakh downloads in less than 24 hours of going live. In the past four days, it’s been downloaded over a million times. However, since then users have reported multiple glitches with the app from the receiving OTPs on time to delivery slots being switched out with any alerts. “I keep receiving messages that ‘something went wrong’ after I have added my name, cellphone number and pin code,” complained one user. <div type="twitter" handle="JimmyGeorgeMum" handlename="Jimmy George" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1144262559249379332/AP3N73Uw_normal.png" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" status="@CMOKerala @vijayanpinarayi sir please scrap the BevQ app. It's not serving any purpose. There are queues everywher… https://t.co/DPraICcJeF" createdat="1590903725000" id="1266968170549501955"></div> "In order to maintain the social distancing especially in this COVID scenario this app will be usable and the client can book a queue number and token for assuring his place in the queue in the specified time slot," the app description on Google Play reads. Yet users report that the only ‘time slot’ that’s available is between 3:45 am and 9:00 am even though government guidelines dictate that bookings should only be available between 6:00 am and 10:00 pm. <div type="twitter" handle="dineshbagavath" handlename="dinesh bagavath" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1037453578401505281/YBlF6ggk_normal.jpg" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" status="Hi guy's I am from Munnar located in kerala. Government of kerala have launched a app for selling alcohol Tried it… https://t.co/swIzqiF23S" createdat="1590853259000" id="1266756498371182593"></div> Even if a user concedes to booking between the available timeslot the app shoots back saying, ‘token not available’. One of the lucky few who was able to book a time slot said, “When booked you get a far away outlet. Instead of using the nearest location, the app is using the nearest pin code.” <div type="twitter" handle="TKuttappi" handlename="Dr.Thavalappi (MBBS,MD)" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1253334077421191168/oMb8uWPc_normal.jpg" favoritecount="22" retweetcount="0" status="Is there anyone here on twitter who has got an OTP from the BevQ app ? If yes, please take a Sikkim lottery and M… https://t.co/jhUDJAiYz4" createdat="1590851984000" id="1266751154349846529"></div> The app is built by a Kochi-based startup called Faircode Technologies Limited, which claims to have <a href="https://www.faircodetech.com/">256 clients</a> on its site. Yet, three days into the launch of the app many of the issues remain unresolved. Users on Twitter and Facebook have been trolling the apps for its false promises. The spokesperson for the company has said that they’re working on resolving the issues with some external help. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/coranavirus-cases-in-kerala-news-and-updates/articleshow/74775194.cms">Coronavirus cases in Kerala news and updates</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/woman-dies-of-covid-19-in-kerala-toll-rises-to-ten-61-new-cases-reported/articleshow/76124098.cms">Woman dies of COVID-19 in Kerala, toll rises to ten; 61 new cases reported</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/remove-china-apps-races-to-1-million-downloads-within-two-weeks-as-anti-china-sentiment-gains-momentum/articleshow/76128369.cms">‘Remove China Apps’ races to 1 million downloads within two weeks as anti-China sentiment gains momentum</a>

BevQ, Kerala’s liquor home delivery app, is ‘on the rocks’ with a 2.1 rating on the Google Play Store

India is surely living up in since the last couple of years. Increased <keyword id="6359858" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="alcohol">alcohol</keyword> consumption is the biggest indicator of this. No prizes for guessing the heaviest of drinkers. Among Indian states, the trend of bottom’s up is the highest in <keyword id="28504" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Kerala">Kerala</keyword> and Andhra Pradesh. 
 
Overall statistics is a bit alarming too. According to a survey that was compiled and presented recently, Indian population was studied between 2008 and 2012. The World Health Organization warned showing a startling 11% of the people starting from 15 years of age were among moderate to heavy drinkers. 
 
The per capita consumption of alcohol had increased from 1.6 liters in 2003-2005, to a good 2.2 liters between 2010 and 2012. Young Keralites and Andhrites kept their alcohol flag flying high with heavy alcohol consumption per annum, followed by other states such as Maharashtra and Punjab. 
 
While the global figure stood at 16% overall drinkers, India alone had achieved a percentage of 11% with its heavy and binge drinkers making up for the numbers. In 2010 alone, about 30% of total population celebrated getting high on spirits. About 93% alcohols were consumed in some form of the spirit or the other, and beer added up to a paltry 7% of the total consumption. 
 Taking these figures seriously, and paying good heed to the warning issued by <keyword id="6366244" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="WHO">WHO</keyword>, Kerala moved towards blanket banning of liquor only to water down the policy later. 
 According to India’s National Sample Survey Office which collates data and interprets them to understand the problem posed by high consumption of alcohol, there are probably more loopholes than what the naked eye can see. Because <keyword id="159764" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="nsso">NSSO</keyword> does not take into account the high-end spectrum drinking that happens in social circles, and private bars. 
 
NSSO also attempted bringing together the data from years 2011-2012 where liquor was split into four categories while collating the numbers. They were toddy, country liquor, beer, and foreign/ refined liquor or wine. The rural Indian, on an average consumes around 220 ml of alcohol in some form or the other, making for an annual quantity of 11.4 liters a year. 
 
Toddy is considered the most favourite among this category owing to the fact that it can be accessed easily, and comes in many price brackets that can be afforded by the poorest of the poor. Beer drinking states followed by the ones who preferred ‘phoren’ liquor came later. 
 
Daman and Diu, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Puducherry were among the leading Union Territories in the category which preferred better form of liquor or beer over Toddy. Goa, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka too followed the suit. Karnataka and Kerala are almost vying with each other in this classification category. 
 
Though there are contradicting reports as to which state tops the list, WHO seems to go by its own set of data making Kerala the state which loves its drink or two. But, NSSO seems to give away this most coveted place to Andhra Pradesh making this the biggest consumer of alcohol. During the pre-Telangana period, Andhra seems to have taken to drinking with much passion, downing almost 34.5 litres of liquor per year, against Kerala where people drank only 10.2 liters per year. 
 
The reasons for this are many. Income seems to be the most influencing factor in encouraging the drinking binge. When the upper middle class or the rich are taken into consideration, the number only falls for a brief while before rising by a good 5% in terms of consuming alcohol. 
 
In urban areas, the country liquor doesn’t have many takers unless the place witnesses high migratory labour such as construction workers or labourers who can only afford the cheap liquor after a hard day’s work. 
 
The numbers are alarming given the fact that alcohol contributes to nearly 3.3 million deaths in India, which come under the global percentage of 5.9%. 
 
Though health monitoring agencies have been issuing warnings at regular intervals about alcohol causing hemorrhage, TB, epilepsy and strokes leading to death, the caution seems to have fallen on deaf ears with India holding up its drink around the year. 
Image: Thinkstock

Bottom’s Up: Why Kerala Drinks Most Among Indian States

(Eds: Minor edit in headline) New Delhi, May 17 () Liquor makers have urged the Kerala government to not impose additional sales taxes on the Indian made foreign liquor (IMFL) which already attracts steep levies of up to 240 per cent in the state. In a letter to the Kerala government, the Federation of Alcohol Beverage Producers (India) has noted that IMFL is paying high taxes of up to 240 per cent in Kerala in comparison to imported liquor which is taxed at 88 per cent. "As a result, a product of same quality sells at Rs 2,600 if made in India compared to Rs 1,600 if imported," said the association in a letter to the state government. The association further said that the state government is expected to impose an additional sales tax of 35 per cent on IMFL, and not on imported liquor. "This is in our view is taking the matter to bizarre proportions. Just to give you a reference after this the tax difference between the two will go to an incredible 189 per cent. Instead of rectifying the error, the Government is further compounding it," the association's Director-General Vinod Giri said. Recently, several state governments imposed additional taxes on liquor while allowing sales in the third phase of the lockdown. Liquor sales remained suspended for more than 40 days in the first two phases of the lockdown to contain coronavirus panedmic, hitting state revenue. "We reiterate our earnest request to review the Excise Policy of Kerala and issue necessary amendments to remove blatant discrimination in favour of imported products," the association said. Earlier, alcoholic beverages industry bodies had said that levy of additional taxes on liquor by several state governments, as high as 75 per cent, will be counterproductive in the long run. States like Andhra Pradesh, Delhi and West Bengal have imposed 75 per cent, 70 per cent and 40 per cent additional levy respectively on liquor, which resumed window sales from May 4 after a gap of almost 40 days in during the ongoing lockdown. KRH MRMR

Liquor makers urge Kerala Govt not to impose additional sales tax on IMFL

New Delhi, May 17 () Liquor makers have urged the Kerala government to not impose additional sales taxes on the Indian made foreign liquor (IMFL) which already attracts steep levies of up to 240 per cent in the state. In a letter to the Kerala government, the Federation of Alcohol Beverage Producers (India) has noted that IMFL is paying high taxes of up to 240 per cent in Kerala in comparison to imported liquor which is taxed at 88 per cent. "As a result, a product of same quality sells at Rs 2,600 if made in India compared to Rs 1,600 if imported," said the association in a letter to the state government. The association further said that the state government is expected to impose an additional sales tax of 35 per cent on IMFL, and not on imported liquor. "This is in our view is taking the matter to bizarre proportions. Just to give you a reference after this the tax difference between the two will go to an incredible 189 per cent. Instead of rectifying the error, the Government is further compounding it," the association's Director-General Vinod Giri said. Recently, several state governments imposed additional taxes on liquor while allowing sales in the third phase of the lockdown. Liquor sales remained suspended for more than 40 days in the first two phases of the lockdown to contain coronavirus panedmic, hitting state revenue. "We reiterate our earnest request to review the Excise Policy of Kerala and issue necessary amendments to remove blatant discrimination in favour of imported products," the association said. Earlier, alcoholic beverages industry bodies had said that levy of additional taxes on liquor by several state governments, as high as 75 per cent, will be counterproductive in the long run. States like Andhra Pradesh, Delhi and West Bengal have imposed 75 per cent, 70 per cent and 40 per cent additional levy respectively on liquor, which resumed window sales from May 4 after a gap of almost 40 days in during the ongoing lockdown. KRH MRMRMR

Liquor makers urges Kerala Govt not to impose additional sales tax on IMFL

<ul><li>BevQ, a virtual queue management <keyword id="10594073" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="app-for-bars-and-liquor-stores">app for bars and liquor stores</keyword>, saw the highest growth in year-on-year sessions within Indian food and drink apps, according to App Annie.</li><li>The app even beat the likes of Domino’s, which is used across India. Domino’s ranked second.</li><li>Interestingly, the Chhattisgarh-state run CSMCL (Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited) Online, which enabled the home-delivery of alcohol in the state, came in at the fifth position.</li></ul>In May 2020, the state of Kerala announced that liquor shops would reopen after being shut for two months due to the coronavirus pandemic. Along with the announcement, a new app also surfaced, BevQ, a virtual queue management app to enforce social distancing. And in the eight months that followed, the app, which works only in the state of Kerala, beat all other Indian food and drink apps in 2020 to see the highest growth in year-on-year sessions, according to the State of Mobile 2021 report by App Annie. The app even beat the likes of Domino’s, which is used all across India. Interestingly, the Chhattisgarh-state run CSMCL (Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited) Online, which enabled the home-delivery of alcohol in the state, came in at the fifth position. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; width: 468pt; table-layout: fixed;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Food and Drink apps ranking (According to number of sessions) </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">BevQ </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Domino’s Pizza India </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Fresh to Home </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Swiggy Stores Vendor App </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">CSMCL Online </td></tr></tbody></table>Source: App Annie “While use of food delivery apps often peaked near the beginning of the pandemic in most markets, India had an initial decline due to logistical impacts before rising again in the summer,” said the report. BevQ was developed by the Kerala-based FairCode Technologies and was also one of the apps chosen by a committee chaired by the IT secretary and the Kerala Startup Mission. The app issues tokens and time slots for people to buy alcohol from bars and restaurants. BevQ, which got over a lakh downloads within hours of its launch, found its place in the App Annie ranking even when bars and liquor stores in Kerala had opened only partially in May 2020 before being shut down again due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The stores across the state reopened only in December 2020. However, the app has also been reported to have multiple <a href="https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2020/may/30/bevq-flops-again-govt-explores-other-options-2149790.html">technical glitches</a> during its launch. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/the-indian-government-may-call-whatsapp-to-explain-why-its-new-data-sharing-terms-apply-in-india-but-not-in-europe/articleshow/80262586.cms">The Indian government may call WhatsApp to explain why its new data privacy policy applies in India but not in Europe</a>

A liquor sale queue management app in Kerala beat all other Indian food and drink apps in 2020

It seems people in <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Bottoms-Up-Why-Kerala-Drinks-Most-Among-Indian-States/articleshow/46064425.cms">Kerala</a> may soon be celebrating a dry <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/RANKED-The-12-best-Christmas-movies-ever/articleshow/50317685.cms">Christmas and New Year</a> every year now. The <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Cant-buy-that-new-SUV-So-what-Make-do-witha-used-one/articleshow/50354383.cms">Supreme Court</a> has upheld the state’s new excise policy and has allowed only 5-star hotels to serve alcohol in the state! 
	 But this news hasn’t gone down well with many, especially the tourism players, who feel that such a move will deter people from visiting this place. “When someone decides a vacation, they want to enjoy without any restriction. And Goa and <keyword id="28504" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kerala">Kerala</keyword> are considered to be ‘cool’ places to visit during this time of the year,” said tour operators. 
	 But a move such as banning alcohol in regular restaurants, which includes budget hotels, will negatively impact the state’s tourist-friendly image. It must be noted that Kerala is looked upon as forward-looking state in India. Foreign <keyword id="6356297" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tourists">tourists</keyword> often find the place very tourist friendly but SC’s decision will prove to be a definitely a dampener to the festive spirit of the state. 
	 
	Besides, a tourist will have to shell out a bomb every time he drinks is not a feasible idea. And this would be preceded by long waiting hours! 
	 
	Sadly, the new policy doesn’t end here. The government intends to completely phase out consumption of alcohol in the state in the next 10 years. The industry players will have to wait to see how the decision dents the arrival numbers as well as the revenue clocked in by the sector. 
	 
	And if this continues, then the day won’t be far when you will have to imagine your trip to the backwaters sans your favourite pint of beer! 
	 
	Image: Indiatimes.com

Planning a trip to Kerala? You may have to spend a few grand to
get happy high!

(Eds: Combining related stories) New Delhi, Mar 31 () Seeking to ease hardships faced by people during the ongoing lockdown, several banks on Tuesday initiated steps to effect the RBI-suggested moratorium on loans taken by their customers and e-retailers began deliveries, but job losses and pay cuts continued to haunt many even as authorities promised special facilities, including for migrant labourers. As the 21-day nationwide lockdown entered its seventh day, the Centre also asked all states and Union Territories to ensure normal functioning of banks and ATMs during the lockdown period and said the Rs 27,500-crore financial package under the Prime Minister Garib Kalyan Yojana will be disbursed in coming days. Separately, several public sector banks said they have started sensitising their branches about three months' moratorium on all term loans, including home, auto and crop loans, to help customers in overcoming financial difficulties due to the coronavirus outbreak and the subsequent nation-wide lockdown. Similar steps are expected from the private sector banks also. The Retailers Association of India, however, complained that banks are unwilling to extend the three-month moratorium to borrowers even after four days of it being announced. It sought the RBI's intervention in the matter. Some telecom companies also announced free talk time and free SMSes for a limited period, especially for the low-income group customers and those distressed during nationwide COVID-19 lockdown. Ride-hailing platform Ola said it will offer interest-free credit of up to Rs 3,600 to driver-partners to help them meet immediate household expenses amid the coronavirus pandemic. E-commerce companies like Amazon and Grofers are also gradually resuming services across various cities they operate in but it will still be at least a week or so before they can clear the pending orders, according to industry executives. However, job losses remained the biggest worry for many, for those working in the services sector as well as the contract labourers in the manufacturing plants most of which have been shut due to the pandemic. Besides, the Union Home Ministry said over 21,000 relief camps have been made operational in the country where more than 6.6 lakh destitute people and those stranded because of the COVID-19 lockdown are sheltered as of now. Punya Salila Srivastava, a joint secretary in the ministry, told reporters during a daily briefing on the coronavirus and lockdown situation that over 23 lakh people are also being provided food at these camps and other locations. Separately, the Supreme Court asked the government to prevent migration of people due to coronavirus and said "panic will destroy more lives than the virus". It asked the Centre to get trained counsellors and community leaders of all faiths to calm down the migrants kept in shelter homes across the country. The court said these shelters should be run by volunteers and not the police, and there should be no use of force and intimidation. Experts, meanwhile, said domestic violence cases in India have increased since the lockdown began with husbands venting their frustration on wives, who have no escape from their abusers. India has been under a three-week lockdown since March 24 with its 1.3 billion people instructed to stay home in view of the coronavirus outbreak, which has claimed 32 lives and infected over 1,200 people in the country. The National Commission for Women (NCW), for instance, received 58 complaints from March 23 to March 30. Many of these complaints have come from north India, particularly Punjab, said NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma. In Kerala, the state government has decided that special passes will be issued for tipplers to buy liquor but on doctor's prescription that they are showing withdrawal symptoms due to non-availability of alcohol in view of the coronavirus lockdown. At least three men in Kerala have committed suicide after allegedly showing alcohol withdrawal symptoms within days after liquor stores shut the doors. Similar incidents have been reported in other parts of the country including in neighbouring Telangana and Karnataka. Kerala has the highest per capita consumption of alcohol in the country. The sale of liquor in the state has continued on an upward spiral despite the prohibitive tax on legal alcohol and the many dry days. At the same time, more companies announced pay cuts for their staff, while a large number of people, including the contract workers and daily wagers, have already been rendered jobless. Budget carrier SpiceJet has decided to cut up to 30 per cent salary of its employees in March, though the company told its staff that Chairman Ajay Singh has opted for the highest 30 per cent cut in compensation. In the US also, foreign IT professionals, a majority of them Indians with H-1B visas, have urged the Trump administration to extend their permissible stay from 60 to 180 days after job loss, amidst the massive layoffs in America due to the coronavirus pandemic. The H-1B visa, most sought after among the Indian IT professionals, is a non-immigrant visa that allows the US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. A record 3.3 million Americans have filed initial jobless claims for the week ending March 21. TEAM BJBJ

Lockdown Day 7: Banks begin loan moratorium measures, but concerns mount over job losses and pay cuts

Respiratory illness <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="coronavirus">coronavirus</keyword> has caught millions of people in China off-guard, quickly spreading across every region in the country. To make things worse, symptoms take around two weeks to appear, which it makes it extremely important for you to protect yourself from it. After all, prevention is better than cure. At the moment, India has one <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/806-people-in-kerala-under-observation-for-coronavirus/articleshow/73754612.cms">confirmed case</a> of coronavirus – the identified patient is an Indian student at Wuhan University. The patient is currently stable and is being closely monitored. Kerala has also put over 800 people under observation. While the risk of one catching it in India are few, it is important to know how you can protect yourself from coronavirus, also known as 2019-nCoV. But before we get to that, let us check out some of the symptoms of coronavirus. What are the symptoms of coronavirus? Coronavirus symptoms are hard to detect, primarily because they are similar to a regular cold or fever. If you have come in contact with a person who has come back from China recently, you may want to get yourself tested if you experience any of the following symptoms: <ul><li>Fever </li><li>Cough </li><li>Breathing issues </li><li>Fatigue </li></ul>How to protect yourself from coronavirus Now, it’s important to understand how you can protect yourself from coronavirus. The World Health Organization has <a href="https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public">issued</a> a precautionary guide to help you <keyword id="8682842" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="protect-from-coronavirus">protect from coronavirus</keyword>. The guide says the following: <ul><li>Keep your hands clean. Use soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub. </li><li>Cover your nose and mouth while coughing or sneezing. Use a tissue or bend your elbows and sneeze/cough in it. </li><li>Avoid close contact with anyone who has a cold or flu-like symptoms. </li><li>Cook meat and eggs thoroughly. </li><li>Avoid direct contact with live wild or farm animals. </li></ul>It is also recommended that you use masks if you are ill. If you visit crowded places, it might be a good idea to use a mask even if you are not ill. As you can see, these are general guidelines for maintaining your health and hygiene. As such, it is not really difficult to follow them. Additionally, you might also want to avoid coming in contact with people who have recently visited China. If you know someone who has visited China and is showing the symptoms mentioned above, it might be worth suggesting them to get themselves tested. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/track-spread-of-coronavirus/articleshow/73690765.cms">How to track the spread of Coronavirus across the world</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/the-gates-foundation-is-spending-10-million-to-fight-the-coronavirus-outbreak-in-china-and-africa-bill-gates-has-warned-about-a-pandemic-for-years-/articleshow/73682210.cms">The Gates Foundation is spending $10 million to fight the coronavirus outbreak in China and Africa. Bill Gates has warned about a pandemic for years.</a>

How to protect yourself from coronavirus

(Eds: Combining related stories) New Delhi, Mar 30 () Seeking to contain mass spread of the deadly coronavirus, several states on Monday effectively sealed their borders to stop movement of migrant workers rendered jobless due to a nationwide lockdown, but FMCG firms flagged non-availability of trucks and labour as a major challenge in ensuring supply of essential goods. The Supreme Court also observed that fear and panic becoming was becoming "a bigger problem than the coronavirus", but stopped short of passing any order and sought a report from the government by Tuesday. As the 21-day naionwide lockdown entered its sixth day, reports from various parts of the country showed curbs put in place to fight the COVID-19 crisis beginning to impact supplies of essential goods as available inventory dwindled and fresh stocks were hard to come by. Amid rumours about a possible extension of the lockdown, the government had to debunk them, while the Army also stepped in to dismiss as fake news the social media posts about a possible declaration of emergency in April. A day after the central government relaxed some lockdown conditions to allow transportation of all goods, irrespective of those being in essential or non-essential categories, the FMCG companies said availability of workers at factories and trucks for transportation remain key challenges to meet the demand for essential items. The companies, however, said approvals for plant operations and transportation of goods have eased difficulties in movement of raw materials and finished products, assuring steady supply of essential items. Addressing local issues in many states that have hindered movement of goods would help in kick-starting the functioning of the supply chain, they said. "But, the key issue that still remains is the availability of manpower and workers to run these operations. With most workers either leaving for their home towns or staying at home during the lockdown, it would be a challenge to ensure smooth functioning," Dabur India Executive Director (Operations) Shahrukh Khan told . Sharing similar experience, an ITC spokesperson said, "While we have progressively obtained permissions in some states, availability of trucks continues to be the biggest challenge at the moment. Interstate and local truck movement has been severely impacted together with the challenge of shortage of manpower in factories." Expressing similar views, Parle Products Senior Senior Category Head Mayank Shah said, "The biggest challenge today is manpower... The new challenge facing the companies now is how to continue running their plants in absence of labour." Most of the labours in manufacturing plant are migrant workers. With they moving back to native places, there is going to be a huge challenge, he added. Even many poor beneficiaries registered under the Public Distribution System (PDS), who are pinning their hopes on free and subsidised ration supplies for their survival during the COVID-19 lockdown, complained they are not wheat while flour mills are shut too. In most parts of the country, local flour millers and chakki shops are not allowed to operate, while some are not willing to function due to fear of action by the police which is enforcing strictly the lockdown rules to stop the spread of the disease as the confirmed cases in the country has crossed the 1,000-mark. In Punjab, the state government's decision to allow industrial units to commence their operations did not find favour, particularly among MSME segment, as many establishments said it is not feasible in view of rising coronavirus cases. The state government on Sunday had said the owners of all industrial units and brick kilns could commence production if they have enough space to accommodate migrant labourers and provide them with food and take all hygiene precautions. In the meantime, the Home Ministry issued orders to states and Union Territories to make it a personal responsibility of District Magistrates to arrange food and shelter for stranded workers waiting to reach their native places. Addressing a press conference on Monday, Joint Secretary of Union Home Ministry Punya Salila Srivastava said the ministry has already issued orders asking landlords to not seek a month's rent from migrant workers and also to not ask for vacating their property. On the issue of police beating workers who are walking to their native places in the absence of transport, she said while clear instructions have been issued to states and UTs to enforce lockdown, the ministry has also asked that the police be sensitied. Officials said the Union Home Ministry is doing 24X7 monitoring of lockdown along with state government. Haryana police said they have completely sealed all inter-state borders to prevent the movement of migrant workers, while the Uttarakhand government withdrew its earlier decision of allowing inter-district movement of people within the state. The Delhi government announced that students from nursery to class 8 will be promoted to the next class in the national capital and also announced online classes for students of class 12 from first week of April. In Delhi University also, professors and students have begun using digital platforms to continue studies, but slow internet speed and connectivity are emerging as key challenges. Good samaritans, in the meantime, continued to pitch in in various regions by helping with delivery of food to the elderly to taking medicines to the sick, as also for fighting fake news on social media and for helping people with their groceries. But, another problem seen emerging in Telangana and some other states after Kerala in the form of rising number of cases getting reported to hospitals for alcohol withdrawal symptomsd due to closure of liquor shops and bars. TEAM BJBJ

Lockdown: States seal borders to stop migrants; Non-availability of labour hit supplies

The high-profile case surrounding <keyword id="138503" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sunanda-Pushkar">Sunanda Pushkar</keyword>’s death has not been laid to rest yet. Recently, former union minister and Kerala MP <keyword id="42749" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Shashi-Tharoor">Shashi Tharoor</keyword> was grilled by investigating agency officials in connection with the case. What had been more intriguing is the BJP MP <keyword id="6370187" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Subramanian-Swamy">Subramanian Swamy</keyword>’s statements that Shashi probably knows Sunanda’s killers. 
 
This not only gave a new twist to the case, but also left Shashi Tharoor in a quandary over his wife’s death. He recently spoke to the media in Kerala during his visit, and said he was not even allowed to mourn his wife’s death ever since it happened last year. 
 
How did a ‘sudden’ death of Sunanda Pushkar turn into a case riddled with suspicion? Was it the money aspect that surrounded her contacts with high and mighty of the political circles? When did a spat between husband and wife, over another woman (Pakistani journalist Mehr Tarar) turn into something deeper than what was visible on the surface? After all, Sunanda had vowed to ‘finish’ Shashi off by laying bare some aspects of his life including that of his involvement in IPL. His personal life, she had anyway exposed through her tweets from his handle, pertaining to the particular affinity he had shown towards Tarar. 
 
Sunanda was a familiar face in the social and political circles of Lutyen’s Delhi. Subramanian Swamy, who is probably playing the Sherlock Holmes in this case, recently issued another statement saying Sunanda ‘met somebody’ in Lutyen’s area. While these snippets shroud the mystery aspect around her death, there isn’t a particular direction to any of these. 
 
What was earlier deemed to be a case of mistakenly mixing drugs, and perhaps alcohol, has now turned into a case of murder that isn’t concluded yet. Her viscera samples are still being tested abroad, a year after she was laid to rest. If it wasn’t the drugs clashing with each other and eventually killing her, was she injected with poisonous substance? It is said that there were a dozen injury marks on her body that weren’t reasoned. The police are still at a loss to explain this aspect surrounding her death. 
 The last call she made was to her son <keyword id="2020656" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Shiv-Menon">Shiv Menon</keyword>. He has also been questioned to know what the conversation was about, and if there was a whiff of anything that seemed like she would commit suicide in a matter of few minutes. Shiv Menon has given his statement to the agencies, and this hasn’t clearly led anywhere. Police have been questioning everyone who was in contact with her two days prior to her death. 
 
One of Shashi’s domestic helps mentioned of a mysterious ‘KT’ who was the point of argument in their conversations. However, a writer who identified herself as ‘Katie’ issued a statement on the Internet stating it was coincidental that everyone was assuming it to be her since she had evinced interest in chronicling Shashi’s life. 
 
Was it Lupus that killed her? Again, not willing to stay off the case, Subramanian Swamy has demanded the medical reports from Shashi Tharoor who had earlier said Sunanda had Lupus and that she could have had some trouble even because of that. 
 
With all these aspects that are clashing with each other in the cyberspace, will Sunanda remain a mystery woman who burst like a star and met her end owing to her ambitions of leading a luxurious life? Will India ever know how and why she died? Or will investigating agencies write off a mysterious end to the inconclusive case as they did in terms of Aarushi Talwar? Truly, the nation wants to know!

You Searched For "alcohol kerala" and got 13 results

Will alcohol home delivery be a reality soon? Swiggy, Zomato, and Blinkit smell an opportunity

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India witnessed 38% surge in alcohol consumption in seven years —and it isn’t going to slow: Study

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

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BevQ, Kerala’s liquor home delivery app, is ‘on the rocks’ with a 2.1 rating on the Google Play Store

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Bottom’s Up: Why Kerala Drinks Most Among Indian States

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Liquor makers urge Kerala Govt not to impose additional sales tax on IMFL

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Liquor makers urges Kerala Govt not to impose additional sales tax on IMFL

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A liquor sale queue management app in Kerala beat all other Indian food and drink apps in 2020

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Planning a trip to Kerala? You may have to spend a few grand to get happy high!

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Lockdown Day 7: Banks begin loan moratorium measures, but concerns mount over job losses and pay cuts

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How to protect yourself from coronavirus

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Lockdown: States seal borders to stop migrants; Non-availability of labour hit supplies

PTI

Worms Still Wriggling Out Of Sunanda Pushkar Death Case

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