the goan I network
PANAJI
Feni is all set to become the “heritage spirit” as the state government introduced a bill to this effect in the assembly, but the heritage tag alone is not going to save feni from being the least imbibed spirit in the State.
The problem for the drink is that locals and even tourists are not voting for the drink with their glasses. Let’s face it, feni is not as cool as Tequila.
Retailers are having tough time in selling feni too. A retailer in Panaji informed that he sells only one bottle of feni for every seven bottles of whiskey. As of now, feni is fighting a losing battle with other kinds of alcohol.
The problem is definitely serious with the feni industry. As per state government’s records, the production of cashew juice actually fell from 4.92 lakh bulk litres in 2012-13 to 4.27 lakh bulk litres in 2013-14 to just 4.01 lakh bulk litres in 2014-15.
The state government’s excise revenue from cashew feni is also falling. The government made Rs 37.06 lakhs from excise on cashew feni in 2012-13, which slipped to Rs 34.6 lakhs in 2013-14 only to fall further to Rs 31.9 lakhs in 2014-15.
Prominent alcoholic beverages consultant, Shatbhi Basu, said, “It’s a great move.
