In the three days leading up to the state’s implementation of a 48-hour liquor ban, alcohol sales spiked by 15-16% across the state. This surge is attributed to a combination of factors, possibly including panic buying ahead of the dry period or other unspecified reasons.
Authorities closely monitor liquor sales and inventory during election periods to prevent the misuse of alcohol. According to reports, liquor sales on November 13, November 14, and November 15 (until 6 pm) increased by 16.86%, 18.9%, and 14.89%, respectively, compared to the same dates last year.
While a 10% annual increase in liquor sales is considered normal, the 15-19% increase observed during this period is higher than usual but still within acceptable limits.
In an effort to curb the use of illegal liquor during elections, the Election Commission (EC) implemented stricter measures this year. As a result, the state excise department, excluding the police, seized 27.7 lakh liters of illegal liquor worth around Rs 32.26 crore, a significant increase from the 1.83 lakh liters worth Rs 4.4 crore seized during the previous election period.
This year, the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac) recorded liquor sales of Rs 468 crore during the Diwali weekend. Monday’s government holiday is expected to drive sales even higher. Madurai recorded the highest sales on Saturday with Rs 52.75 crore, while Trichy surpassed Madurai on Sunday with sales of Rs 55.60 crore. Tasmac has stocked up on low-end and premium liquor brands to meet the demand during the festival.
In the fortnight leading up to Diwali this year, the Delhi government’s excise department set a new record by selling liquor worth over Rs 526 crore. This represents a substantial increase compared to the same period last year, with nearly 3 crore bottles sold. The sale of liquor before Diwali typically peaks a few days before the festival, and this year saw over 64 lakh bottles being sold in the three days leading up to Diwali. The increase in sales can be attributed to the higher number of liquor stores in Delhi and the trust in the quality of liquor available in the city.
AILET 2024 Registration Deadline Extended
The deadline for registration for the All-India Law Entrance Test (AILET 2024) has been extended to November 15. The exam, organized by the National Law University (NLU), grants admission to BA LLB (Hons), LLM, and PhD programs in various institutes across the country. The application fee is Rs 3,500, with reduced fees for certain categories. Eligibility criteria include a minimum of 45% in Class 12 or equivalent, and a 55% minimum for LLM applicants. The exam will take place on December 10.
