Toddy Tapping Today Violating Govt Ban
The decision of farmers’ associations and Tamil Nadu Toddy Movement to go ahead with toddy tapping on January 21 (Wednesday) violating the Government ban is gaining support from various quarters, including agriculturists’ associations and political parties. Farmers began a campaign seeking permission for toddy tapping and the campaign focused more on the ill-effects of the Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) sold through the State-owned Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC). C. Nallusamy of the Tamil Nadu Toddy Movement contended that IMFL had more than 42 per cent alcohol content while toddy had only 4.5 per cent.
The farmers submit that while the manufacturing cost of liquor is only Rs. 9 per 750 ml and the bottle cost is Rs. 3, it is marketed at Rs 380 per 750 ml. The liquor barons make huge profits at the cost of the poor families, they allege. They point out that of the total eight crore palm trees in the country nearly five crore trees are in Tamil Nadu. Besides, the State has 4.5 crore coconut trees. Hence, permission to tap toddy will help a large number of agricultural families. BJP state general secretary A. Shridhar Murthy said the party had already extended support to the toddy tapping agitation. MDMK and National Agriculturists Awareness Movement would also fully support toddy tapping.
