Leaders pour cold water on toddy ban

The recent Kerala High Court observation on the possibility of banning toddy in the state has kicked up a row with most of the political leaders opposing such a move and Excise Minister terming it as “impractical”.

Opposition Leader V S Achuthanandan said here on Sunday that banning toddy would render thousands who are depending on the traditional occupation jobless.

He said that if a ban is imposed than it would also impact coconut farmers in the state who are already reeling under financial crisis.

“Instead of carrying out such flawed policies, the UDF Government should crack down on sale of adulterated toddy. It should reduce sales hours of bar and IMFL outlets to discourage drinking habit as suggested by the High Court. If a ban is imposed on toddy it will only lead to increase in the sale of spurious liquor in the market,” he said in a statement.

While, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) welcomed the court observation, KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala took a complete opposite stand by stating that unlike alcohol, toddy is not harmful for health.

He said that a ban on toddy is a impractical move with far-reaching consequences.

“The state government should instead moot ban on the sales of liquor which should be imposed in a step-by-step manner,” he said.

Excise Minister K Babu ruled out the possibility of prohibiting toddy. “The court’s order is not practical. The IUML stand on the issue of a complete ban on liquor is just their opinion and is not the policy of the United Democratic Front,” he said.

The HC had recently asked the government to ‘liberate’ the state from the toddy menace.

“It’s high time the government thought of discontinuing toddy business in the state to save people from the evils of alcohol and to prevent camouflaged sale of arrack and spurious liquor in the name of toddy,” the court had said.

Like the prohibition of arrack, which was introduced in the state 16 years ago, the court hoped that the state government will take a bold decision to liberate emerging modern Kerala from the disgraceful business.