The Kerala Beverages Corporation is inviting property owners across the state to offer their buildings for rent, as part of an initiative to open new liquor outlets without the influence of intermediaries. This move seeks to curb rent inflation, as rates are often driven up by middlemen, and to maintain confidentiality regarding new outlet locations until they are ready to open. Property owner information will be kept private to ensure security.
In 2022, the Kerala government approved the establishment of 253 new liquor sales centers. Of these, 175 were newly sanctioned, while 78 were reactivated from closures under the previous UDF government. However, many outlets have yet to open due to challenges in finding appropriate rental spaces that comply with excise laws, especially those governing proximity restrictions. The Corporation has faced difficulties securing compliant properties and has seen inflated rental costs for many available buildings, sometimes as high as five times the actual market rate. Concerns have arisen over possible mismanagement, with allegations that certain officials might benefit from these inflated rentals.
To address these issues, the Beverages Corporation is implementing a new online system where property owners can submit details directly through the link: https://bevco.in/bevspace/. This will allow the Corporation to negotiate directly with property owners, bypassing intermediaries and hopefully securing fairer rental rates. Currently, Kerala Beverages Corporation operates 278 liquor outlets, and with demand growing, some existing locations may also need new premises to expand services. Through this streamlined approach, Kerala aims to enhance operational efficiency and expand liquor access responsibly.
