Auction of arrack and toddy shops

PUDUCHERRY: The auction of arrack and toddy shops will begin on Friday. Bidding via the internet for the 11th consecutive year will also take place on the same day.The auction gains importance as excise is a major revenue earner for the Puducherry government. The latter has earned a revenue of Rs 77 crore ( Rs 74.38 crore from arrack and Rs 2.47 crore from toddy) and Rs 73 crore through auction, in the previous two years. There are 100 arrack shops and 84 toddy shops, licensed by the government. Out of that, 25 arrack shops and eight toddy shops have applied for renewal of licences, so far. The remaining 75 arrack shops and 86 toddy shops would be taken up for auction. The amount has been enhanced by five per cent in the current year, for auction. Though the response to arrack shops has not been encouraging enough, the response to toddy has been far worse. This is because of nonavailability of toddy tappers and also toddy drinkers.