The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Aid given to 57 to stay off illicit liquor trade

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 20, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Aid given to 57 to stay off illicit liquor trade

Special Correspondent

Minister Jayakumar gives away bicycles, fish carts and handloom materials

CHENNAI: Till Saturday, 56-year-old D. Kala, who spent a year in jail under preventive detention, and S. Jayashree of Korukkupet had one thing in common: the men in their families were unemployed after quitting the illicit liquor vending "business."

To dissuade people in the coastal areas from dealing in illicit arrack, the Chennai district administration on Saturday provided aid of Rs. 4.2 lakh to 57 persons. Most of the beneficiaries were women, and almost all of them have served a term in jail.

Ms. Kala, belonging to Pallam area in Kasimet Kuppam, said women took to retail vending of illicit liquor sachets to supplement the family income.

"We need extra money during the two-month no-fishing season and when our men return empty-handed," she said.

According to Ms. Jayashree, nine men in her family have not been able to find employment after quitting the liquor trade.

Distributing bicycles, fish carts, handloom materials and a rickshaw to the beneficiaries, D. Jayakumar, Minister for Law and Information Technology, said the authorities must address the family circumstances that forced children into the liquor trade.

District Collector N. Muruganandam cautioned the beneficiaries that if they continued in their old profession, their children too would be sucked into the illegal trade. "Quit the business at least in the interest of your children."

The beneficiaries were given passbooks where entries would be made when they make their monthly repayment. Those who received Rs. 10,000 are to pay Rs. 320 a month for 35 months.

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