Keralites lead in consumption stats

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Keralites have been seen to lead the tables in consumption patterns across the country in several product categories as well as in overall monthly expenditure.

According to new statistics released by the National Sample Survey Organisation here, the state tops the country in consumption of tobacco and tobacco products, liquor and monthly per capita spending for 2007-08.

NSSO deputy director general CRK Nair said a socio-economic survey conducted by the organization had shown monthly per capita expenditure on tobacco and tobacco products in urban and rural areas was Rs 18.5 and Rs 14.5 respectively, as against the national average of Rs 9.9 for rural and urban areas.

In liquor consumption, the statistics are starker, with Kerala’s monthly per capita consumption being Rs 19 in urban areas and Rs 17 in rural areas compared to the national average of Rs 7 in urban and Rs 6 in rural areas.

In total spending, urban areas of Kerala have been found to be ahead of even Punjab and Delhi. Kerala’s monthly per capita spending in urban areas was found to be Rs 1,948. This was more than the respective figures for Delhi and Punjab, which were 1,828 and Rs 1,633 respectively, and the national average of Rs 1,472.