The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : Toddy shortage in Ernakulam

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Tuesday, Sep 14, 2010
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Toddy shortage in Ernakulam

Special Correspondent

KOCHI: A large number of toddy shops in Ernakulam district remain closed because of the shortage of toddy.

The shutdown is caused by the Excise Department's ban on import of toddy from Chittoor taluk in Palakkad. Following the Malappuram hooch tragedy, the department has temporarily prohibited transportation of the Chittoor toddy outside Palakkad district. It was alleged that contaminated toddy imported from Chittoor had caused the Malappuram tragedy.

Domestic production of toddy in Ernakulam district falls far short of the demand. Roughly 40,000 litres are produced in the district and 32,000 litres are brought in, legally, from Chittoor. However, the so-called `synthetic toddy' —which is made of harmful chemicals and very little natural toddy—is sold extensively.

Many shops located in the areas where natural toddy is produced sold the limited supplies they get within a couple of opening the shops. There are over 600 toddy shops in Ernakulam district. Trade unions, contending that toddy workers were being thrown out of work following the ban, have been pressing the government and the Excise Department to lift the temporary ban and allow free flow of the Chittoor toddy.

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