CPM state secretariat on Monday said that the move to ban toddy in the state was part of an effort to destroy a traditional industry and leave hundreds of workers, who eke out a living from this sector, in a crisis.
The statement by the party here said that some people were trying to sabotage the industry citing certain observations made against it by the High Court.
There was no scientific basis for the argument to ban toddy.
The Udayabhanu Commission appointed by the government, which studied the possible impact in the event of a liquor ban in state, had recommended the need for protecting the toddy industry. But some of the UDF coalition partners are seeking a ban on toddy citing the court’s observations, the statement said.
The statement said that the CPM had no difference of opinion on the need to strongly oppose the liquor mafia and the social tendencies being promoted by it. But the party holds the view that the traditional sector in the liquor industry should be protected.
The party is not against regulating liquor consumption based on scientific arguments. But the mysterious move to ban toddy could not be accepted, it said.
The secretariat pointed out that the LDF Government had encouraged toddy shops under cooperative societies of toddy workers. But the UDF Government is once again handing over the sector to Abkari contractors replacing the cooperative societies.
If there is any complaint about synthetic toddy, it was the government’s duty to take strict action against it. Those who speak about toddy ban are silent about foreign liquor and the lobby behind it, the party statement said.
The party also said that the ban on toddy would lead to the sale and production of spurious liquor.
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