Kerala ushers in New Year in high 'spirit'

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala bid goodbye to 2006 by consuming alcohol worth Rs 213 million in the days leading up to the New Year.

The Kerala State Beverages Corporation, the sole wholesalers of liquor and beer in the state, had made elaborate arrangements to ensure that adequate supplies reached sales outlets.

According to official figures, liquor worth Rs 67 million was sold on the last two days of the year.

The total sale reached a record Rs 145 million. The last days of 2005 had registered liquor sales worth Rs 179 million.