Ballari: Liquor sales hit a new high registering sales worth Rs 12.75 crore in the three-days before the New Year celebrations in this ore rich district alone.

The proceeds from sale of India Made Liquor (IML) was double on December 29, 30 and 31 as against the figures for 2013 and fetched a revenue of Rs 12.75 crore for the Karnataka State Beverages Corporation (KSBC), the state-owned sole agency for sale of liquor.

According to KSBC sources, 30,449 boxes of IML was sold in the year 2012 on the last three days ahead of NY celebrations fetching a revenue of Rs 6.81 crore and 27,592 boxes of IML was sold on the last three days of 2013 registering a sales worth Rs 6.96 crore.

KSBC sources said that liquor sales reached new heights in the mining towns of Ballari and Hosapet during 2008 to 2011 when mining business was thriving.

However, sales have dipped post 2012 owing to ban on iron ore mining in the district. Despite the slowdown in mining business, KSBC sold 18,192 boxes of IML on December 29, 17,535 boxes on December 30 and 12,692 boxes on the eve of NY celebrations through the 242 wine shops in the district and thus, registered a sale of Rs Rs 12.75 crore in 2014.

Ever since KSBC took over wholesale vending of liquor in 2003, revenue has been hitting a new high every year. Moreover, the year end sees 10-20 % rise in liquor sale compared to previous years.

Most liquor vendors, including bar and restaurants, buy huge quantities from KSBC on the last day of the year to cater to the New Year Eve demand.

Though the liquor prices saw two upward revisions last year contributing to huge collection of revenue for KSBC, a significant increase in consumption cannot be ruled this year.

The rise in consumption is attributed to more number of youth even in small villages deciding to welcome the New Year with booze.