(DNAIndia) - Indicating the changing economic and social trends in Maharashtra, sales of wine witnessed the highest rise by December end, followed by Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) and beer. The drought in large swathes of the state, including Marathwada seems to have led to a fall in consumption of the liquor of the masses — country liquor (CL).

Interestingly, the highest percentage terms rise in consumption comes from tier-III and rural Maharashtra. For instance, despite low volumes, tribal-dominated Nandurbar has the highest rise in wine consumption (69.58%), while Bhandara in Vidarbha's paddy belt has seen rise in sales of beer and CL by 14.33% and 27.61%, respectively — the highest in the state. Yavatmal accounted for a massive 43.56% increase in IMFL sales, according to the state excise department's figures.

Country liquor, which is cheaper and is consumed by the masses, sees highest sales in terms of volumes. Figures for the period ended December 2015, show a 4.41% fall in CL sales compared to the same period the previous year to end at 2,363.33 lakh bulk liters (BL) as against 2,472.33 lakh BL.

While growth in beer consumption was tepid (4.12%) with people guzzling 2,523.18 lakh BL versus 2,423.36 lakh BL, IMFL showed a comparatively healthy rise at 7.43% (1,376.78 lakh BL against 1,281.56 lakh BL). Wine sales showed the highest percentage terms growth from 42.71 lakh BL against 38.59 lakh BL (10.66%).

"Country liquor sales have fallen. It is possible that the increase in rates (due to a duty hike) has affected sales. But, this does not seem like the only reason, drought too may be a factor," state excise commissioner Vijay Singhal told dna.