Kerala   

Chandy flays liquor policy

KOLLAM: Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy has alleged that the liquor policy of the government will only serve to benefit vested interests of the CPI(M).

He was inaugurating the 24th State conference of the Kerala Toddy and Abkari Workers Congress (KTAWC) at Karunagapally near here on Monday.

Mr. Chandy said through such a policy the CPI(M) was making attempts to revive the disbanded societies. That would mean betraying the toddy workers by denying them their rights.

The UDF would oppose a policy meant for serving the interests of the CPI(M) and not the toddy workers.

The aim of any liquor policy should be to safeguard the interests of toddy workers, protect toddy shops and ensure sale of genuine toddy. The LDF’s liquor policy did not ensure any of these aspects. These were ensured during the previous UDF rule. When the previous UDF government came to power, the revenue from toddy shop auction was Rs.120 crore per annum.

But the UDF understood that at such a high bid, it was spurious toddy which was being sold.

So, effective measures through a proper policy were taken to ensure the supply of genuine toddy. For the purpose, Rs.100 crore from the annual toddy shop revenue was sacrificed.

The auction which till then went for around Rs.30 lakh per shop came down to Rs. 2 lakh. But it was ensured that only genuine toddy was supplied.

Under the LDF rule, spurious toddy and spirit was flowing in the State. He alleged that there was a CPI(M) connection behind the situation.

Mr. Chandy wanted the government to correct the anomalies in the liquor policy. It should be made more transparent by holding discussions with all concerned.

The State did not need a liquor policy that worked for the benefit of the CPI(M). “If the government is not prepared to make corrections, the UDF will launch a strong agitation against it,” he said.

The inaugural function was presided over by KTAWC president N. Azhakeshan. The delegates’ session was inaugurated by State president of the INTUC R. Chandrashekar.

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