Tamil Nadu bags 'top tippler' title as Kerala slows down-Damn nothing is sacred any more!
Nandu:
Hard to believe Satyam is in TVM for just 900 subscribers,doesn't make any business sense at all. As for DSL, even in the U.S it is not widely available yet so it is understandable the guy didn't know anything about it. Since Satyam uses independent reps to distribute their products you must have been talking to one of them rep guys as opposed someone who works for Stayam is what I am thinking. If one were to go by their press releases they are planning to add broadband internet service via Cable TV and also DSL, another thing is Cyber Cafes that they want to get into. Once the quiet period is over next week we may get a better idea as to what they are up to. Also by Jan-Feb of next year they should have their own gateway.
Now check this out, we were at least No.1 in something but not any more going by the following article, damn Tamils.<g>
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Sanu George - Economic Times
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM 11 NOVEMBER
TIPPLE-happy Kerala will have to do with the second best tag for another year.
According to the Kerala State Beverages Corporation (KSBC), the state has lost first position in per capita consumption of liquor to Tamil Nadu. That, however, has not stopped Kerala from registering a rise in annual per capita consumption from 7.5 litres to eight litres. But Tamil Nadu, with a consumption record of 8.4 litres per person, takes the pride of place among tippler states.
Kerala, at the top for several years before Punjab took away the rather unenviable title in 1997, registered record sales of 6.3m cases of hard liquor, an increase of 700,000 cases, in the year ended March 31, '99, said KSBC secretary MV Sasikanthan.
KSBC figures show rum is the most preferred drink among Keralites. 3.19 mil cases of rum were sold in Kerala last year. Brandy (2.67 mil cases) and whisky (360,000 cases) are the other high selling hard liquor varieties while beer accounted for 2.73 mil cases. Sales of hard liquor and beer are at Rs 1200 crore ($280 mil) against Rs 10 crore the previous year.
Sources however said these figures are understated. "If one were to take the figures of excise duty evasion and that of the illicit liquor trade in the state, Kerala would beat Tamil Nadu hands down," they said.
Ever since the ban in April '96 on the manufacture and sale of arrack, imposed by then chief minister AK Antony, illicit liquor trade has been on the increase in the state. ? IANS |
