Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi/Mangaluru (MS)

Udupi/Mangaluru, Jan 11: The district of Udupi witnessed an unprecedented surge in revenue for the excise department, credited to record-breaking liquor sales during December 2023. The period from December 20 to 31 saw a substantial increase in tourist numbers, resulting in the sale of 145,358 boxes of liquor and 158,658 boxes of beer, totalling 3.4 lac boxes.

Comparatively, December 2022 reported sales of 145,290 liquor boxes and 138,681 beer boxes. Nine establishments were granted one-day permissions for liquor sales on New Year's Eve, a notable increase from the three permits issued the previous year, according to Bindushree, the district excise department commissioner.

The excise department's vigilant efforts led to the confiscation of 24 liters of illegal liquor transported from Goa in a goods vehicle at Byndoor and Shiroor toll gates. Additionally, an excise patrol team seized 32 bottles of 750 ml.

Contrastingly, in the neighbouring Dakshina Kannada district, liquor sales observed a 4% decrease in December 2023 compared to the previous year. However, beer sales witnessed a notable 12% increase.

December 2022 recorded 250,891 boxes of liquor sold in Dakshina Kannada, while the corresponding figure for 2023 is 241,034 boxes, amounting to a total quantity of 84,770 litres. District commissioner T M Srinivas attributed the decline in liquor sales to migrants returning to their native places and a hike in liquor prices.