Andhra Pradesh - Warangal   

Illicit liquor threat to tappers: Kerala Minister

Staff Reporter

IN SOLIDARITY: Kerala Excise Minister Gurudasan with toddy tappers at a public meeting in Warangal on Wednesday. — Photo: M. Murali

WARANGAL: Large-scale brewing and illicit transportation of spurious liquor has been posing a threat to toddy tappers not just in Andhra Pradesh but in Kerala as well, said Kerala Excise Minister Gurudasan.

Participating as chief guest at the 11th annual meeting of Andhra Pradesh Toddy Tappers Association on Wednesday, Mr. Gurudasan said in view of the toddy industry's potential to employ lakhs of workers, efforts should be made to launch a campaign against illicit liquor.

Mr. Gurudasan attacked the UPA Government for initiating `anti-people' policies. "In Kerala, the UDF Government did not hesitate to close down toddy shops," he pointed out.

The Kerala Excise minister exhorted the toddy toppers to be united to resist any move aimed at threatening their traditional occupation.

Participants in the three-day annual conference propose to deliberate on the policies of the State and Central governments and welfare schemes launched for the uplift of toddy tappers.

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