Kerala an important state for liquor since it relies heavily on tourism: Arup Thakur, CFO, Pincon Spirits 

Arup Thakur, CFO, Pincon Spirits joins the conversation at ET Now, to talk about the Kerala liquor policy and how that will impact liquor companies. Excerpts...

ET Now: Could the policy changes in Kerala be a meaningful boost to liquor companies such as you?

Arup Thakur: Well definitely. Kerala is a very important market for any liquor company. Predominantly, the economy of the state is based on tourism so definitely banning liquor, or reducing it in phased manner, will have an impact even on the economy of the state as well as for the liquor companies.

ET Now: What percentage of your sales comes from Kerala? What would the impact be?

Arup Thakur: Presently, we are don't have any presence in Kerala. But overall it is almost Rs 18,000-20,000 crore market. So, definitely it was a very big market. In that way it should impact every company. Totally banning liquor or reducing it drastically won't help because people will shift to some other mode of intoxication, like narcotics. So, with moderation, if it is introduced, it will be socially good for the state also.