Kerala saw Rs.70 crore worth of liquorsales during the two Onam days Tuesday and Wednesday this year.
An official from the excise department told IANS that saleson the first day of Onam the previous year totalled Rs.34 crore and Rs.24 crorethe next day.
"The figures are still coming in. It could be certainlyclose to Rs.70 crore during the two days this year," said the official.
While the entire state has a holiday on these two Onam days,the only establishments open are the sales outlets of the Kerala StateBeverages Corp, the sole wholesalers of liquor in the state.
Liquor in Kerala is sold through 708 bar hotels and 383state-owned retail outlets.
Rum remains the most preferred drink, accounting for morethan 55 percent followed by brandy (close to 40 percent) and Vodka (fourpercent). Gin, whisky and wine account for the rest.
Sales of liquor in the last fiscal crossed a record Rs.7,000crore and the revenue to the state government by way of taxes crossed Rs.6,000crore.
This fiscal the sales are expected to cross Rs.8,000 croreand the state exchequer will get more than Rs.7,000 crore.