Kerala’s BEVCO Pushes For Liquor Home Delivery: A Proposal at the Crossroads

The Kerala State Beverages Corporation (BEVCO) has once again put forward a proposal to introduce online liquor sales with home delivery across the state. The plan, if approved, would allow individuals aged 23 and above to place orders via a dedicated app or website, with strict age verification measures in place. While proponents see it as a step towards reducing overcrowding at outlets and boosting state revenue, the proposal faces legal, political, and societal hurdles that could delay – or derail – its implementation.

What The Proposal Involves

• Ordering System: Customers aged 23+ could order alcohol online through a BEVCO-run platform.
• Verification: Mandatory ID checks both at ordering and at the time of delivery.
• Delivery Partners: Private delivery services like Swiggy could be roped in via a tender process.
• Phased Rollout:
• 1. Phase One – Order online, collect from the outlet.
  2. Phase Two – Full-scale home delivery.

The plan was recently submitted to the state government by BEVCO’s Managing Director, Harshita Attaluri, and includes the potential introduction of low-alcohol beverages alongside regular spirits.

Why BEVCO Wants This

Kerala’s liquor distribution system is unique – BEVCO operates just 283 retail outlets, one of the lowest per capita in India. By contrast, neighbouring Tamil Nadu has around 4,700 liquor shops. This limited number of outlets leads to:

• Chronic Overcrowding: Long queues and traffic congestion outside liquor stores.
• Poor Accessibility: Especially for women and senior citizens.
• Revenue Constraints: Despite these limitations, liquor sales brought in INR 19,700 crore in FY 2024–25, making alcohol tax one of the state’s top revenue sources.

BEVCO estimates that online ordering and delivery could add INR 500 crore annually to state coffers – driven partly by increased sales of premium brands.

Legal And Policy Hurdles

The biggest challenge is legislative. Kerala’s liquor trade is governed by:

• The Foreign Liquor Rules, 1953 - A set of regulations framed under the Kerala Abkari Act to govern the licensing, sale, possession, and serving of “foreign liquor” (all alcoholic beverages other than traditional country liquor), including conditions on who can sell, where outlets can operate, and how records must be maintained.
• The Abkari Act - The primary law in Kerala that regulates the manufacture, possession, sale, transport, and taxation of liquor and intoxicating drugs, serving as the legal foundation for all alcohol-related rules in the state, including the Foreign Liquor Rules.

For online home delivery to be legal, the state would need to amend these rules. Currently, Excise Minister M. B. Rajesh has publicly stated that no decision has been taken and the policy does not support home delivery. Senior officials have hinted that the proposal may be shelved due to political sensitivities, particularly with elections approaching.

Public Opposition And Concerns

The proposal has triggered sharp criticism from various groups:

• Social and Anti-Alcohol Organisations: Fear it will increase alcoholism and make liquor too easily accessible.
• Religious Leaders: Argue it undermines family welfare and public health. The head of the Orthodox Church compared it unfavourably to essential commodities, saying “even rice requires fingerprint authentication, but alcohol could be delivered to your doorstep.”
• Retail and Bar Associations: Worry about losing customers to online sales.

Past Experiments In Kerala

Kerala has flirted with digital liquor management before:

• BevQ App (2020): Introduced during the COVID-19 lockdown for virtual queueing at outlets. Home delivery was not offered, except in cases where liquor was prescribed for severe withdrawal symptoms.
• Outcome: While it eased crowding temporarily, public reception was mixed, and the system was eventually phased out.

How Other States Handle It

Several Indian states have moved ahead with home delivery:

• Currently Allowed: Odisha, West Bengal.
• Temporary COVID-19 Measures: Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh.
• Pilot Projects: Delhi, Karnataka, Haryana, Punjab – often partnering with Swiggy and Zomato.

These models provide a blueprint for Kerala, though each state’s legal framework and cultural context differ.

The Road Ahead

If approved, Kerala’s liquor home delivery could:

• Modernise the state’s liquor distribution.
• Increase revenue for public services.
• Reduce health risks from overcrowding.

However, given the political resistance, public backlash, and need for legislative amendments, its rollout remains uncertain.

Summing Up

BEVCO’s renewed push for liquor home delivery in Kerala is an ambitious plan that promises efficiency, convenience, and a significant revenue boost. Yet, it is also a politically sensitive move in a state with strong temperance movements and strict alcohol regulations. Whether this proposal becomes a reality – or remains a recurring idea shelved by politics – will depend on how the state navigates the fine balance between revenue interests, public opinion, and legal constraints.