Liquor sales, one of the worst-hit amid the COVID-19-caused lockdown, have brought in Rs 2,500 crore less for the government this year as compared to 2019. In addition, beer sales decreased by 63.5 per cent. Officials believe that this is a result of people avoiding cold beverages amid COVID.

While the lockdown started in the last week of March, liquor shops were given conditional permission to reopen on May 4. According to the state excise department, from May 4 to September 27, the government has earned R4,050 crore in revenue from liquor sales.