KOCHI : The Excise Dept stepped in to do its part in Covid care by donating 5,000 liters spirit seized during its various raids at hooch units. The charity is aimed to resolve shortage faced by sanitizer manufacturing units owing to increased demand in Covid conditions. If found necessary, the govt will shell out more from the breweries it controls, said Excise Minister TP Ramakrishnan
The Department handed over spirit loads to various Medical Colleges, Public Sector Pharmacies and Jails. It delivered 2,700 liters spirit to Health Department alone after being approached for its sanitizing requirements at various isolation wards across the State. Incidentally, Extra Neutral alcohol used in the manufacturing of liquor is a main ingredient in sanitizing liquids. In normal course, the spirit seized during raids is marked in evidence at courts after which, the govt either sells or destroys it. More spirit would be offloaded at public sector units, the minister said.
Apart from the seized store, spirit from government’s sole spirit manufacturing unit – Travancore Sugars and Chemicals- also formed part of the deliveries.
