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This year, the trend continued, with a record-breaking number of tourists arriving in the district post-December 20, coinciding with the Christmas holiday festivities. The night of December 31 saw enthusiastic celebrations, further boosting the demand for liquor. As a result, December witnessed a substantial increase in liquor sales compared to the previous year.
During December this year, a staggering 1,45,358 boxes of liquor were sold, including 1,58,658 boxes of beer, totaling an impressive 3.4 lakh boxes of liquor. In contrast, the figures for December the previous year stood at 1,45,290 boxes of liquor and 1,38,681 boxes of beer. The surge in demand prompted the issuance of one-day licenses (CL-5 charter) for New Year celebrations, with a notable increase from the three licenses issued the previous year.
However, amidst the revelry, efforts were made to curb illegal activities related to excise. During a vehicle inspection at the Bynduru Shiruru tollgate, authorities detected the illegal transportation of 24 liters of Goan liquor in a goods vehicle. The excise team on patrol seized 32 bottles of 750 ml liquor, taking necessary legal action to prevent such activities.
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In Dakshina Kannada district, specifically in Mangaluru, a contrasting trend was observed in December. Liquor sales experienced a 4% decline compared to the same month in the previous year. According to excise department data, 9,857 boxes of liquor were sold less, amounting to a total of 2,41,034 boxes in December. In contrast, there was a notable increase of 12.7% in beer sales, with 2,58,663 boxes sold.
The District Excise Department attributed the decline in liquor sales to various factors, including mandatory rules for New Year parties, the migration of certain categories of workers, and a rise in the price of liquor. DC T.M. Srinivas explained that these factors collectively influenced the decrease in sales, highlighting the dynamic nature of the liquor market in the region.