BevQ is launched by Kerala States Beverages Corporation. It claims to manage the queues and crowds at liquor stores virtually. Those who do not have the app will not be given alcohol in the state. It connects 1,168 liquor vendors to their customers from 9 am to 5 pm. BevQ has crossed over 5 lakh downloads within a few hours of its launch.
The description of the app on play store reads, “BevQ is a virtual queue application and token generator service provided by Kerala state beverages corporation ltd. To maintain the social distancing especially in this COVID scenario this app will be usable and the client can book a queue number and token for assuring his place in the queue in the specified time slot.”
Since the government allowed the sale of liquor in lockdown, over-crowding has been a major problem. This app aims to provide a solution to it. However, users have reported not receiving OTPs and many glitches in the app. It has 2.4 ratings on the play store.
“Long time for OTP. The OTP server might be overloaded. Please increase the performance. Also, try to detect the OTP SMS automatically. Pincode: try to detect the Pincode by typing the first letters of the outlet and also by GPS for detecting the nearest outlet. It will be better to start with language,” says Riyas Rawther who gave a 1-star rating to the app.
Arun, another user complained, “Location issue is there. I have a nearby Beverages Outlet but the slot allotted for me is in a Bar away from my place. You should have to allot a specific number of tokens for each Bar & Bevco outlet and the consumer should have the option to select from where they buy rather than automatically allocating the slot. I doubt (suspect) that there is a game between government and bar owners.”
How to use this app?
- Download it from play store.
- Update your picture, mobile number, name and pin-code.
- Update other necessary details.
- Place an order through the app.
- You will receive e-token and a QR code on your mobile phone.
- You can take the token to the store which will be scanned by the store owner.
- After the scanning, you will be given your order.
- Using this app you can buy liquor once in every four days.
Those who do not have smartphones can send SMS to a specified number and they will receive a number rather than an e-token. This app is developed by Kochi-based startup Faircode Technologies for Rs. 2,84,403. Kerala has the highest per capita alcohol consumption.
