By IANS,
Kozhikode : Meat stalls and liquor outlets in Kerala recorded brisk sales a day ahead of the general strike the Left trade unions called in the state Wednesday.
The strike which affected road and rail traffic and left government and other offices deserted was the 82nd in the state in the last six months.
“At our outlet the sales was 70 percent more Tuesday evening as people readied themselves for the general strike next day. This is a regular feature on the eve of all the shutdown or strikes,” said an official working at a Kerala State Beverages Corporation (KSBC) outlet in Kozhikode.
KSBC is the government agency which controls the sale of liquor in Kerala.
The KSBC’s regional warehouse here also recorded increase in sales a day before the general strike.
“The sales shot up around 30 percent Tuesday as retail outlets reinforced their stock expecting an increase in demand,” said M. Sajith, warehouse manager.
The warehouse supplies around 10,000 boxes of liquor a day to retail outlets in the districts of Kozhikode and Wayanad.
The meat stalls here also recorded good sales Tuesday evening. “Increase in sales is a usual feature on the eve of hartals (shutdowns). The sales will be more than what we sell on Sundays,” said O. Ummer, who runs a beef stall in Kozhikode. Sale and consumption of beef is not banned in Kerala.
“Shutdowns are a day of get together for people. On this day all family members will be present at home. When all the members are present, people will think of preparing some special dish. Therefore meat sales go up,” says Ummer.
According to Harathal Virudha Munnani (HVM) – Anti Shutdown Front – the shutdowns are successful in Kerala for two reasons. “Those who are opposed to shutdowns are afraid to come out against the cadres of political parties and the lazy section in the society makes shutdowns an occasion for celebrations,” says K. Chandrababu, the state general secretary of HVM.