Kochi, Aug 8 (PTI): The Kerala High Court has been informed by the Excise Commissionerate that it has suggested to the Kerala State Beverages Corporation (BEVCO) to increase the number of counters in retail outlets selling foreign liquor and re-allocate shops to prevent long queues of customers on roads and outside shopping centres.

BEVCO was suggested to also look at better utilisation of its space in the outlets, the Commmissionerate told the Division Bench of the court.

Also Read | Bihar Shocker: Newlywed Woman Killed by Husband and In-Laws for Dowry in Patna.

The submission to the High Court was made by the Excise Department during the hearing of two PILs (public interest litigation) petitions seeking directions to the State to prevent overcrowding outside liquor vends during the pandemic.

BEVCO told the court that an audit of all outlets was being taken and that a consolidated report, along with a statement, would be filed before the court.

Also Read | Quit India Movement: G Kishan Reddy Inaugurates Exhibition on ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ on Its 79th Anniversary.

The Bench gave BEVCO 10 days to file the report.

On July 30, a Single Judge directed the ExciseDepartment to carry out a comprehensive audit of the facilities and the quality of each retail liquor outlet in the State.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)