Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Excise Minister M Liju on Friday directed an immediate probe into allegations that staff at a BEVCO outlet in Kollam district were overcharging customers for liquor, after video footage and news reports emerged showing an employee purportedly asking for extra money while billing.
Minister directs BEVCO audit wing to investigate
In a Facebook post, the minister said he had taken note of the complaint along with the visuals and ordered the internal audit wing of the Kerala State Beverages Corporation (BEVCO) to investigate the matter. He asked the BEVCO Chairman and Managing Director to conduct an immediate inquiry and to take appropriate action based on the findings.
The minister emphasised the government’s stance on corruption in state-run undertakings.
"The government follows a 'zero tolerance' policy towards corruption and no action contrary to this policy would be accepted,"the post said, according to PTI. He added that action would be taken immediately once the inquiry report is received.
Allegations centre on Karunagappally outlet
The videos and reports identified the outlet as the BEVCO shop in Karunagappally in Kollam district. They show an employee allegedly requesting additional money from customers at the time of billing. PTI reported that the visuals and accompanying news coverage prompted the minister’s directive.
BEVCO, the Kerala State Beverages Corporation, is the government agency responsible for wholesale procurement and retail distribution of liquor in the state. Incidents of alleged irregularities at retail counters draw immediate attention because of BEVCO’s monopoly status and the sensitivity surrounding alcohol retail regulation in Kerala.
What the inquiry will cover
The internal audit wing's mandate typically includes verification of cash handling procedures, billing and invoicing practices, stock reconciliation and staff conduct at retail outlets. The minister's instruction that the BEVCO CMD conduct an "immediate inquiry" implies a rapid review of transaction records and staff interviews at the Karunagappally outlet.
- Investigation ordered by Excise Minister M Liju
- Target outlet: BEVCO shop in Karunagappally, Kollam district
- Probe to be led by BEVCO internal audit wing; CMD to oversee immediate inquiry
Process and possible outcomes
If the internal audit finds discrepancies, standard administrative responses could include disciplinary action against staff, recovery of irregularly collected amounts, and operational changes to billing procedures. The minister’s statement made clear that any breach of the government’s anti-corruption policy would not be tolerated.
At present, no outcome has been published. The minister said action would be initiated once the inquiry report is submitted to the government. The timeline for the audit and the nature of the evidence under review were not specified in the PTI dispatch.
Consumer confidence and oversight
Kerala’s liquor retailing model assigns a prominent regulatory and commercial role to BEVCO. Allegations of overcharging at retail counters can erode customer confidence and raise calls for tighter oversight. The minister’s swift directive to the audit wing signals an administrative priority to address complaints that gain public visibility via social media and the news media.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Allegation | Employee at Karunagappally BEVCO outlet asking for extra payment while billing |
| Authority ordering probe | Excise Minister M Liju |
| Investigating body | BEVCO internal audit wing; CMD to oversee inquiry |
The minister’s intervention follows the circulation of videos and news reports highlighting the alleged conduct. The swift ordering of an internal audit reflects both the sensitivity of the matter and the government’s public posture against corruption in state-controlled enterprises.
Further details, including any corrective steps or punitive measures, will depend on the findings of the inquiry. The minister has committed to immediate action on receipt of the audit report.
(Reporting by PTI; compiled from the minister’s Facebook post and associated news reports.)
