BJP Supporting To Toddy Tapping Agitation
The Tamil Nadu unit of BJP today extended support to the agitation organised by farmers under the banner of 'Tamil Nadu Toddy movement' to tap toddy across the state on January 21, by defying the ban. Though the party is in favour of prohibition, it would be better if the Government allowed coconut and palm growers to tap and sell toddy, considering their present economic condition, as it is considered as a health drink, BJP State secretary, G K S Selvakumar said in a press release here.When the Government itself was selling liquor through its outlets, there was nothing wrong in allowing toddy tapping, which would improve income generation of farmers, facing a financial crunch due to various reasons, particularly by the vagaries of climate, selvakumar said. Toddy can even earn foreign exchange if it was processed and exported to various foreign countries, he said.
If the Government was not permitting toddy tapping, it should bring total prohibition in the state and also stop or ban selling of liquor during class hours, considering the future of students, Selvakumar said. Defying the ban in Tamil Nadu, farmers have decided to tap toddy from coconut and palm trees on January 21.
