Tag Archives: India alcohol

Determination of adulterants in suspected liquor samples using chemical tests

Ramesh Kumar Pandey, Mahipal Singh Sankhla, Rajeev Kumar

Galgotias University, India

Correspondence: Mahipal Singh Sankhla, Research Scholar, Division of Forensic Science, SBAS, Galgotias University, Greater Noida, India

Received: July 31, 2018 | Published: August 31, 2018

Citation: Pandey RK, Sankhla MS, Kumar R. Determination of adulterants in suspected liquor samples using chemical tests. MOJ Toxicol. 2018;4(4):309–314. DOI: 10.15406/mojt.2018.04.00118

Abstract

The term alcohol, used as a proper name, is applied both to the absolute substance farther specified by chemists as ethyl alcohol, and to its mixtures with smaller proportions of water and slight proportions of other substances. In chemistry, the word alcohol is used as a common or generic name to designate several series of substances. Alcohol consumption has existed in India for many centuries. The quantity pattern of used and resultant problems have undergone substantial changes over the past twenty years. This category, created for revenue purposes, consists in western- style distilled beverages such as whisky, rum, gin. These are made in India under government license and the maximum alcohol content allowed is 42.8%. Besides licensed distilleries, a number of small production units operate clandestinely. The raw materials they used are similar to those in country liquor, but since they evade legal quality controls the alcohol concentration in their products varies and adulteration is frequent. It is common to rum, whisky and gin find samples containing up to 56% alcohol. The hazardous adulterant is industrial methylated sprit which irregularly cause mass toxicity of humans who lose their lives or suffer irreversible eye damage. Since no government revenues are paid, illicit liquor is considerably less expensive then license country liquor, and thus finds a ready market among the poor.

Keywords: alcohol, illicit, toxicity, adulteration

Introduction

Describes a simple, fast method of proving identity or brand on the basis of anion composition. This will enable the testing of suspicions that arise during food control. Spirits are reduced to bottling strength with water from rectified distillates. The ionic content of the water and brand-specific water additives used give rise to differences in the ionic composition of the product. The simple, cost-saving, and reliable method of ion chromatography, which is already approved in water analysis, can therefore be used for the determination of anions in spirits. The Selected decreases the organoleptic features of the raw resources. Flavouring may be added to give the product special organoleptic characteristics, such as a mellow taste.1 According to Karnataka Excise Rules (1997), the ethanol content of whisky, rum and gin (IMFL) are mandated at 42.8% volume by volume (75° proof) and of country liquor or arrack at 33.3% volume by volume (65° proof) at 15/15°C. The Karnataka Excise Act specifies that for the manufacture of IMFL and arrack, the basic material is Rectified spirit [manufactured by distillation of molasses] of not less than 166° proof. Such spirit has to be reduced to strengths of 75° proof or 65° proof depending on whether IMFL or arrack is the final product.2 The authenticity of cognacs, whiskies, rums and similar strong alcoholic beverages can be verified by determining the concentrations of ethanol and the following congeners in the product: methanol, higher alcohols and ethyl acetate. These values are then compared with a database of reference samples. Data from quantitative measurement can be processed statistically using principal component analysis (PCA) based on clustering techniques. PCA is a useful method when the data contain large numbers of variables. PCA yields a small body of new variables that incorporate most of the information in the original variables, facilitating the perception of complicated matrices. Such a work-up is presented by with various brands of whiskies being classified into groups by chemical analysis and PCA. Developed a complex, multi-method analysis for brand identification using statistical processing on the basis of chemical composition, ultraviolet absorption, and pH.3 According to Bureau of Indian Standards (1986), the ethanol content of whisky, rum and gin (IMFL) are mandated at 42.8% volume by volume (75° proof) and of country liquor or arrack at 33.3% volume by volume (65° proof) at 15/15°C. The Bureau of Indian Standards specifies that for the manufacture of IMFL and arrack, the basic material is Rectified spirit (manufactured by distillation of molasses) of not less than166 proof. The ingestion of drinks with the nonqualified raw materials containing high levels of adulterants can cause serious health difficulties like metabolic problems, blindness, permanent neurological damage or even death.4 Suggested about traditionally colorless, extract-free spirits (e.g. vodka and white rum) are identified by the detection of volatile substances using gas chromatography (GC).5 The raw spirit put through rectification is usually produced from grain (rye and wheat) and potatoes. In vodka production, the quality of water is of the utmost importance. For premium vodka brands, demineralized water is filtered through activated carbon to absorb unwanted organic and inorganic materials. Then it is passed through deionization columns, which remove other impurities present. The rectified spirit and demineralized water are blended in the correct proportions. The blended spirit is charcoaled for up to 8 h. The charcoal adsorbs impurities that cannot be removed by distillation alone. The vodka is then reduced to its bottling strength by adding further demineralised water.6

Materials and methods

Determination of ethyl alcohol by volume

Two methods have been prescribed in BIS, namely, method I {Hydrometer method (2302-1962)}, method II {Pyknometer method}. In which method I be used as routine method, whereas Method II as referee method.

Procedure: 200ml of sample were taken in a 500ml. distillation flask containing to it about 25ml. of distilled water and a few pieces of pumice stone {a very light porous rock formed from solidified lava, used in solid form as an abrasive and in powdered form as a polish} was added. And the distillation setup is allowed to heat over thermostat, the distillate is collected in a 200ml. measuring flask. The distillate is allowed to cool at the room temperature; the volume was makeup to 200ml. using distilled water and mixed thoroughly. The specific gravity of the distillate at the required temperature was measured with the help of a hydrometer (routine test) and Pyknometer (referee test). The readings were recorded and compared with the standard value as prescribed in the tables of Alcoholometry.4

Determination of suspended solids

Procedure: The contents of the container were mixed thoroughly by shaking it. 250ml. of it were taken and filtered through a dry tared filter paper. The filter paper was dried over the hot air oven at 110o±2oC. After cooling the sample is weighed. And the results were calculated and expressed to four decimal places.

Determination of esters as ethyl acetate

Procedure: To the neutralized distillate from the volatile acidity determination, 10ml. of standard alkali solution was added and refluxed it on a stream bath for an hour. The sample was cooled and back titrated, the excess of alkali with standard sulphuric acid (1ml. of standard alkali is equivalent to 0.0088gm. of acetate). A blank taking 50ml. of distilled in place of the distillate of the sample is run simultaneously in the same way. The difference in titration value in ml. of standard acid solution gives the equivalent ester.4

Determination of higher alcohols

Three methods have been prescribed in BIS, namely, method I (Komarowski method), Method II. Method I may be used to determine approximately the quantity of higher alcohols in process control. Method II shall be employed for accurate determination while method III shall be used as reference method.4

Method I (Komarowski method)

Procedure: A clean glass–stoppered bottle was taken and washed it twice with the spirit to be tested. Similarly, a small cylinder or a 100ml pipette was washed. 10ml. of sprit were taken in the bottle and to it 1ml. of 1% salicylic aldehyde and 20ml. of conc. Sulphuric acid were added. The mixture was allowed to stand at room temperature for over 12hours. The change in colour was noted and compared with the colour developed after the reaction indicates the amount of higher alcohol as follows:

Colour Amount of higher alcohol

Light yellow only traces
Yellow to Brown About 0.1% (v/v)
Brown About 0.2% (v/v)
Red About 0.5 to 1.0 % (v/v)
Dark red to Black About 0.5 to 1.0% (v/v)

Method II

Procedure: 50ml. of water was added to the solution resulting from the determination of esters and solution is extracted four times with carbon tetrachloride using 40, 30, 20 and 10ml. respectively. The extracts were washed three times with saturated sodium chloride solution and twice with saturated Sodium Sulphate solution. Carbon tetrachloride was filtered out and to it 50ml. of oxidizing mixture was added and refluxed for two hours. The solution was cooled and the reflux condenser was washed with 50ml. of water and transferred it to the distillation flask using50 ml. of water. Distil till about 50ml. is left over the flask. Avoid charring. The distillate is titrated against standard alkali, using phenolphthalein as indicator (1ml. of standard alkali is equivalent to 0. 0088gm. of amyl alcohol.) Run a blank in the same way taking 100ml. of distilled water in place of the distillate of the liquor.

Determination of ash

Procedure: The contents of the container were shaken and evaporated, 100ml. of the sample is on dried, tared dish over water bath. The dish was placed in a muffle furnace maintained at 450o to 500oC for the about an hour. The dish was Cooled in a desiccator and weighed, the results were expressed to four decimal places.4

Determination of copper

Potassium ferrocyanide method

Procedure: Transfer 20ml. of the material into a silica evaporating dish and add 1ml. of dilute sulphuric acid. Heat gently in the beginning and the evaporate almost to dryness on a water bath. Ignite the residue over a smokeless flame to eliminate sulphuric acid. Cool, dissolve the residue in 2ml. of water, add three drops of aqua regia and evaporate to dryness on the water bath. Dissolve the residue in 2ml. of hydrochloric acid and warm gently the residue is dissolved. Add 0.5gm. of ammonium chloride and dilute with 15ml. of water distill in an all glass apparatus. Add dilute ammonium hydroxide as alkaline. Boil off excess of ammonia and filter into a clean Nessler tube. Cool and then render to the solution acidic with acetic acid (3 to 5 drops are usually sufficient). Dilute to 40ml. Add 0.5ml. of potassium ferrocyanide solution, stir and make up the volume to 50ml. {Note: – If the copper is more, a lesser amount of the material may be taken for the test.} Prepare a series of control solutions each containing in 50ml. 0.5gm. of ammonium chloride, 3 to 5 drops of acetic acid and 0.5ml. potassium ferrocyanide solution together with an increase amount of copper, namely 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10ml. of the standard copper solution Compare the test solution with control solutions and note the number of ml. of standard copper solution added in the control solution having, as nearly as possible, the same intensity of color as that of the test solution.4

Result and discussion

These research work was carried out at the India Brewery and Distillery Ltd, Bidar, Karnataka, India. Check the specification of liquors. In the study Qualitative analysis for the presences of illicit content like Copper, Ash, Ethyl Alcohol, Higher Alcohol Content, Acetaldehyde and Fixed Acidity present in the liquor sample were done by using the presumptive colour tests and the results are reported. Content in the samples were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively for determination of the strength of the liquor sample and results are reported in tables and figures. The quantitative determination of the contents liquors were examined by the prescribed methods of the BIS (3752-1956) guidelines to check their quantity in the suspected liquors as in illicit liquor there me be increased quantity of these contents shown table 1-12 and figure 1-12. These results reported here shows that the suspected liquor shows the presence of illicit components like Copper, Ash, Ethyl Alcohol, Higher Alcohol Content, Acetaldehyde and Fixed Acidity. The quantitative analysis of the suspected and standard samples showed that the contents of standard liquors are within permissible limit of the BIS however the suspected liquor samples showed the exceed limit of these contents.

Estimation of ethyl alcohol (v/v)

The Table 1 and Figure 1 shows the Ethyl alcohol percentage in standard Liquor sample as reported in Whisky, Rum and Gin were found to be under the permissible limits described by BIS. However Table 2 and Figure 2, shows the exceed limit of ethyl alcohol content in the suspected samples of Whisky, Rum and Gin.

Brands	Sample 1	Sample 2	Sample 3
Whisky	42.6 % v/v	42.7% v/v	42.6% v/v
Rum	42.9% v/v	42.7% v/v	42.7% v/v
Gin	42.4% v/v	42.6% v/v	42.6% v/v

Table 1 Estimation of Ethyl alcohol (%) in standard Whisky, Rum and Gin sample

Figure 1 Estimation of Ethyl alcohol (%) in standard Whisky, Rum and Gin sample.

Brands	Sample 1	Sample 2	Sample 3
Whisky	48.4% v/v	36.5% v/v	34.4% v/v
Rum	56.4% v/v	48.8% v/v	46.4% v/v
Gin	46.8% v/v	54.4% v/v	48.6% v/v

Table 2 Estimation of Ethyl alcohol (%) in suspected Whisky, Rum and Gin sample

Figure 2 Estimation of Ethyl alcohol (%) in suspected Whisky, Rum and Gin sample.

Estimation of ash (%)

The Table 3 and Figure 3, showing the Ash percentage in standard Liquor sample as reported in Whisky, Rum and Gin were found to be under the permissible limits described by BIS. However, Table 4 and Figure 4, shows the exceed limit of Ash percentage in the suspected samples of Whisky, Rum and Gin.

Brands	Sample 1	Sample 2	Sample 3
Whisky	0.01	0.018	0.017
Rum	0.018	0.016	0.018
Gin	0.019	0.018	0.015

Table 3 Estimation of Ash (%) in Standard Whisky, Rum and Gin samples

Figure 3 Estimation of Ash (%) in standard Whisky, Rum and Gin samples.

Brands	Sample 1	Sample 2	Sample 3
Whisky	0.10	0.10	0.15
Rum	0.15	0.15	0.20
Gin	0.9	0.6	0.6

Table 4 Estimation of Ash (%) in Suspected Whisky, Rum and Gin samples

Figure 4 Estimation of Ash (%) in suspected Whisky, Rum and Gin samples.

Estimation of higher alcohol content

The Table 5 and Figure 5 showing the Higher Alcohol present in standard Liquor sample as reported in Whisky, Rum and Gin were found to be under the permissible limits described by BIS. However, Table 6 and Figure 6, shows the exceed limit of Higher Alcohol in the suspected samples of Whisky, Rum and Gin.

Brands	Sample 1	Sample 2	Sample 3
Whisky	2.00	2.50	2.00
Rum	1.50	2.00	1.50
Gin	4.20	4.00	4.20

Table 5 Estimation of Higher Alcohol in Standard Whisky, Rum and Gin samples

Figure 5 Estimation of higher alcohol in Standard Whisky, Rum and Gin samples.

Brands	Sample 1	Sample 2	Sample 3
Whisky	3.50	3.80	3.80
Rum	3.80	3.60	3.80
Gin	5.00	4.80	4.80

Table 6 Estimation of Higher Alcohol in Suspected Whisky, Rum and Gin samples

Figure 6 Estimation of higher alcohol in Suspected Whisky, Rum and Gin samples.

Estimation of acetaldehyde

The Table 7 and Figure 7, showing the Acetaldehyde present in standard Liquor sample as reported in Whisky, Rum and Gin were found to be under the permissible limits described by BIS. However, Table 8 and Figure 8, shows the exceed limit of Acetaldehyde in the suspected samples of Whisky, Rum and Gin.

Brands	Sample 1	Sample 2	Sample 3
Whisky	4.2	4.4	4.2
Rum	4.18	4.16	4.18
Gin	0.18	0.16	0.18

Table 7 Estimation of Acetaldehyde in Standard Whisky, Rum and Gin samples

Figure 7 Estimation of Acetaldehyde in Standard Whisky, Rum and Gin samples.

Brands	Sample 1	Sample 2	Sample 3
Whisky	4.80	4.60	4.60
Rum	5.0	5.20	5.10
Gin	0.40	0.60	0.40

Table 8 Estimation of Acetaldehyde in Suspected Whisky, Rum and Gin samples

Figure 8 Estimation of Acetaldehyde in Suspected Whisky, Rum and Gin samples.

Estimation of copper

The Table 9 and Figure 9, showing the Copper present in standard Liquor sample as reported in Whisky, Rum and Gin were found to be under the permissible limits described by BIS. However, Table 10 and Figure 10, shows the exceed limit of Copper in the suspected samples of Whisky, Rum and Gin. The Table 11 and Figure 11, showing the Ethyl Acetate present in standard Liquor sample as reported in Whisky, Rum and Gin were found to be under the permissible limits described by BIS. However, Table 12 and Figure 12, shows the exceed limit of Ethyl Acetate in the suspected samples of Whisky, Rum and Gin.

Brands	Sample 1	Sample 2	Sample 3
Whisky	0.008	0.009	0.008
Rum	0.009	0.008	0.009
Gin	0.008	0.009	0.008

Table 9 Estimation of Copper in Standard Whisky, Rum and Gin samples

Figure 9 Estimation of Copper in standard Whisky, Rum and Gin samples.

Brands	Sample 1	Sample 2	Sample 3
Whisky	0.018	0.010	0.015
Rum	0.010	0.005	0.015
Gin	0.016	0.015	0.015

Table 10 Estimation of Copper in Suspected Whisky, Rum and Gin samples

Figure 10 Estimation of Copper in Suspected Whisky, Rum and Gin samples.

Brands	Sample 1	Sample 2	Sample 3
Whisky	0.24	0.28	0.28
Rum	0.18	0.20	0.18
Gin	0.58	0.60	0.58

Table 11 Estimation of Ethyl Acetate in Standard Whisky, Rum and Gin samples

Figure 11 Estimation of Ethyl Acetate in Standard Whisky, Rum and Gin samples.

Brands	Sample 1	Sample 2	Sample 3
Whisky	0.40	0.60	0.40
Rum	0.20	0.15	0.20
Gin	0.80	0.60	0.60

Table 12 Estimation of Ethyl Acetate in Suspected Whisky, Rum and Gin samples

Figure 12 Estimation of Fixed Acidity in Standard Whisky, Rum and Gin samples.

Conclusion

These research work present the suspected sample of liquor are the various type of contamination and the results are shown that the liquor are not drinking purpose. The adulterants contaminations is a major problem in India. The partial data available around prices, it appears that there is ground for the probability that at minimum some home or locally made beverages are cheaper than mass or factory produced “branded” beverages. In some cases the price difference is quite significant. This means that it is mostly the poorer segments of the society which consume these local beverages, except in the case of some culturally important beverages which might have ceremonial value.

Acknowledgements

None.

Conflict of interest

Author declares that there is none of the conflicts.

References

European Council. Off J Eur Comm L. 1989;160:1–17.
Karnataka Excise Rules (Regulation of Yield, Production and Wastage of Spirit, Beer, Wine or Liquors) (1997).
Lehtonen PJ, Keller LA, Ali-Mattila ET. Z Lebeansm Unters Forsch A. 1999;208:413–417.
Bureau of Indian Standards, Indian standard manual for alcoholic drinks and methods of test, 1986.
Frank W. Qualittssicherung, Organisation und Analy-senmethoden. In: Kolb E editor. Spirituosen Technologie. Behr’s Verlag, Germany: Hamburg; 2002. p. 425–472.
http://www.smirnoff.com

Link:https://medcraveonline.com/MOJT/determination-of-adulterants-in-suspected-liquor-samples-using-chemical-tests.html

Radico Khaitan to launch 3 Premium Whiskies in the next two years

Alcohol consumption patterns in India

1 Reply

To start off, it has been assessed by the World Health Organisation that an individual consumes about 6.2 litres of alcohol per year. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), average alcohol consumption in India was 5.7 litres per person above the age of 15 per year in 2016, up from 4.3 litres in 2010. On per capita consumption, India is ranked 101 (with Moldova leading with 15.2 litres. In the immediate neighbourhood, the figure for Pakistan is 0.3 litres and China is 7.2 litres).

Moreover, about a third of India’s population consumes alcohol on a regular basis and 11% of the total number of Indians are moderate or heavy drinkers. One-third of males and one-fourth of females in India who have made it a part of their lives say, in surveys, that it causes problems to their physical health, finances and household responsibilities. But alcohol —the recent events have shown—is an intricate and essential part of the Indian economy.

Now let us evaluate state wise consumption of alcohol, measured in consumption per capita, per week in millilitres. For Toddy and country liquor, Andhra Pradesh and Telengana have the highest levels of consumption which drops to the lowest levels in states like Jammu and Kashmir, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Gujarat (for obvious reasons). The consumption in these states are as low as 100 ml per capita per week. Levels of Toddy consumption have seen a sharp decline in the northern state of Bihar as well, which still ranks in the medium to average range (101 – 500 ml. per capita per week).

Moving on to beer, imported wine and imported alcohol varieties, we see that Andhra Pradesh and Telangana still consume more than 300 ml. per capita, making those states the highest consumers in this category. Himachal Pradesh shows a sudden spike (101- 300 ml), and so do the north eastern states of Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram and the islands of Andaman and Nicobar (>300 ml). Goa too, sees a high trend in this category, with the average between 101 and 300 ml per capita per week. The rest of the country remains quite conservative in their consumption trends of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) varieties.

Overall, it has been observed that the Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Arunachal Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Telengana, Daman and Diu, Sikkim and Pondicherry are among the highest consumers of spirits and alcohol varieties in India.

Now one of the reasons why there has been greater number of calls for bans on alcohol in certain areas is due to the fact that these regions suffer from chronic alcoholism and resultant poverty. The regular consumption of any variety of alcohol and especially country made liquor has also been found to be inversely proportional to family income, thus providing further evidence for this trend.

Consumption of local brews and toddy is one of the major reasons for deaths in alcohol related incidents. In recent years, about 136 people were killed in one single incident. In January 2015, in a village in eastern Maharashtra, 94 people lost their lives due to hooch liquor contamination and resulting toxicity. The states that have prohibition in place presently are: Nagaland (since 1989), Manipur (since 1991, except the hill districts), Kerala (2014), Gujarat and Lakshadweep (on all islands except Bangaram).

India is one of the fastest growing alcohol markets in the world. Rapid increase in urban population, sizable middle class population with rising spending power, and a sound economy are certain significant reasons behind increase in consumption of alcohol in India.

Indian Alcohol Consumption – The Changing Behavior provides a comprehensive analysis of the market size of alcohol industry on the basis of type of products, consumption in different states, retail channel and imported and domestic. The Indian alcohol industry is segmented into IMFL (Indian made foreign liquor), IMIL (Indian made Indian liquor), wine, beer and imported alcohol. Imported alcohol has a meager share of around 0.8% in the Indian market. The heavy import duty and taxes levied raise the price of imported alcohol to a large extent. Alcohol is exempted from the taxation scheme of GST.

The Indian alcohol market is growing at a CAGR of 8.8% and it is expected to reach 16.8 billion liters of consumption by the year 2022. The popularity of wine and vodka is increasing at a remarkable CAGR of 21.8% and 22.8% respectively. India is the largest consumer of whiskey in the world and it constitutes about 60% of the IMFL market.

Though India is one of the largest consumers of alcohol in the world owing to its huge population, the per capita alcohol consumption of India is very low as compared to the Western countries. The per capita consumption of alcohol per week for the year 2016 was estimated at 147.3 ml and it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.5% to 227.1 ml according to estimates.

The states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, Karnataka, Sikkim, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh are amongst the largest consumers of alcohol in India. The most popular channel of alcohol sale in India is liquor stores as alcohol consumption is primarily an outdoor activity and supermarkets and malls are present only in the tier I and tier II cities of India.

The trends and pattern of alcohol consumption are changing in the country. With the increasing acceptance of women consuming alcohol, growing popularity of wine and high demand for expensive liquor, the market scenario seems to be very optimistic in the near future.

The study reflected changing pattern of the consumer’s mindset towards alcohol consumption in India. 3% of the respondents who consumed alcohol favoured wine for its health benefits. Though the popularity of whisky is highest in the Indian market, its market share is expected to decrease in future.

Alcohol consumption in high-income countries witnessed constant growth, but it has been growing in low and middle-income countries as well. Before 1990, Europe had recorded the highest level of alcohol use. However, the study forecasts that Europe will not hold that title for long.

Going ahead, the world will drink more, and more people will drink as well. The research also suggests that almost half the adults across the world will consume alcohol by 2030, whereas a quarter of them will become binge drinkers.

Binge drinkers are those people who drink 60 grammes or more pure alcohol in one or more sittings, in a month.

Starting Young

Indians are not just drinking more, they are drinking dangerously as well. As many as 57 million people are facing the after-effects of alcohol addiction. A survey by the Community Against Drunken Driving (CADD) revealed that over 88% of youth below 25, consume or purchase alcohol though it’s illegal. Punjab, Goa, Tripura, Chhattisgarh and Arunachal Pradesh rank high on alcohol consumption. However, Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of alcohol drinkers in India.

Regulating alcohol

A few state governments like Bihar, Gujarat, Mizoram and Nagaland, have prohibited the sale of alcohol. States like Kerala, Bihar, Tamil Nadu have imposed variety prohibition since 2016. The state government of Rajasthan allows sale of liquor only until 8.30 in the evening. India has also witnessed an increase in the number of drunken driving cases. According to reports, fines from drunk driving in India in 2018 alone, was at around `6 crore.

Assam is the highest alcohol consuming state in India

In the 15-54 age group, with 59.4%, men from Assam were found to be the highest consumer of alcohol in the country. In the latest Health and Family Welfare Statistics (HFWS) in India, it has been reported that 26.3% of women and 59.4% of men between 15-54 years of age consume alcohol in Assam. This is the highest in the country and the national percentages for the same age group are respectively 1.2 and 29.5. However, in terms of percentage of the population for both men and women in the age group 15-49 years who drink alcohol about once a week out of a total population (men and women) who drink alcohol, Assam women scored 44.8% and men scored 51.9% Meanwhile, in the 15-54 age group for women, Nagaland, Himachal Pradesh, Goa, and Karnataka recorded the lowest alcohol consumption with 0.1%. In the same category for women, Jammu & Kashmir occupies the second position with 23% women found to be consuming alcohol. In the 15-49 age group, with 59%, men from Arunachal Pradesh were found to be the highest consumer of alcohol in the country. The HFWS report further revealed that percentage of the population of men and women in the 15-49 years who drink alcohol about once a week was found to be 45.2% and 55.1% respectively for women and men of Arunachal Pradesh. For women and men in Nagaland, the percentage of the population who drink alcohol about once a week in the 15-49 age group was found to be 65.5% and 46.4% respectively. As for the other states from the northeast, the percentage of the population of men and women in the 15-49 years who drink alcohol about once a week are – Manipur 21.3% and 40.1%; 25.1% and 42.4%; Mizoram 20.3% and 41.2%; Nagaland 65.5% and 46.4%; Sikkim 33.9% and 43.5% and Tripura 50.8% and 47.1%. The five southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala together consume as much as 45% of all liquor sold in the country. The financial position of these states is precarious as the Coronavirus lockdown completely dried up this crucial liquidity tap for them in April. Although these states consume as much as 45% of all liquor sold in the country annually. Not a drop was sold in April, and given the dire state of their revenues, these states have been anxious to make good the losses by opening up the vends, said the survey. While Tamil Nadu and Kerala top the list in revenue percentage terms at 15% each, for Kerala the tax on liquor is its single largest revenue source. The revenue share is 11% each for Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and 10% for Telangana, shows the report. Delhi is at number three when it comes to liquor revenue share with 12% of tax revenue, but its citizens swig only 4% of the national intake. Tamil Nadu has another distinction – it is the single largest consumer of liquor in the country, guzzling as much 13% of national sales, closely followed by Karnataka with 12%. Andhra quaffs 7% of the national intake, followed by Telangana (6%) and Kerala (5%). While all other states have high population, when it comes to Kerala, despite being home to only 3.3 crore people, it draws the highest revenue because among the five states it charges the highest tax rate on liquor. However nationally, Maharashtra charges the highest rate, but draws only 8% of its tax revenue from liquor – primarily because it is the most industrialised state and has many other sources of income – and also consumes only 8% of the national intake despite being the second most populous state. Twelve states – the five southern ones, Delhi, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan – account for 75% of liquor consumption in the country. But uncorking the bottled spirit will also be a problem for these 12 states as they contribute to more than 85% of all Covid-19 infections/deaths as well. Among these 12 states, Kerala has the lowest national average in this at under-1%, the report said. You might associate Goa with booze and partying, but a higher proportion of people in Telangana consume alcohol than in the former. And a larger percentage of men drink in Bihar, a state under prohibition, than in Maharashtra. Gujarat and Jammu & Kashmir, in that order, have the least consumption of alcohol among men. When it comes to women’s consumption of alcohol, Sikkim and Assam, with 16.2% and 7.3%, respectively, top the charts. But here, too, Telangana comes next, topping Goa. Barring Telangana and Goa, most of the states at the top are in the northeast. The consumption among rural women is significantly higher than in urban areas in most states, which could also be due to less hesitation in admitting to alcohol consumption compared to urban women. This difference in prevalence of alcohol consumption exists between rural and urban men too, but the difference is not as high as among women. Covid-19 may change many aspects of work, life and the economy, but India’s relationship with alcohol will likely remain intact. If anything, the linkages might get stronger. When the pandemic-induced lockdown was first announced, the Centre excluded liquor shops in the category of establishments that would stay open. It was not deemed to be “essential”. States backed the Centre’s stance. But as the days under the lockdown accumulated, and as the economy and tax collections slumped (with more money from the Centre not forthcoming), states started clamouring with the Centre to allow liquor vends to reopen.

State controls

India has had a conflicting history with prohibition. States have been torn between the need for revenues and the broader problems its abuse created. As a result, they have been imposing dry days, and some form of control. Some states have gone the full hog in imposing prohibition: Gujarat (since 1960), Nagaland (since 1989), Bihar (since 2016), Mizoram (since 2019), and in most parts of Lakshadweep. In most parts, states control liquor distribution. Take, for example, TASMAC (Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation), set up in 1983 by then-chief minister M.G. Ramachandran as the monopoly liquor wholesaler for better control over distribution. For retail, it auctioned licences to the private sector. This, in turn, led to problems, including cartelisation and customer complaints – and lower revenues to the state. Twenty years later, the J. Jayalalithaa government claimed monopoly over retailing too. It has served the state well. Its revenues jumped from `2,828 crore in 2002-03 to `31,157 crore in 2018-19. It’s also a reason why Tamil Nadu has been pushing the Centre to reopen liquor shops. Unlike the purchase of a car or a computer, lost liquor sale is lost forever. Thus, for TASMAC, which was selling 160,000 cases of Indian-made foreign liquor and 90,000 cases of beer every day, the sales might not necessarily return, reducing the ability of Tamil Nadu to fund even ongoing schemes. The time has come to ‘de-criminalise’ liquor as the state of Goa has done successfully. Considering that 50% or more of the price of every bottle finds its way to the coffers of state governments, it is preposterous that tipplers are treated with such scant respect.