Tree tax, empowerment of toddy workers proposed

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, OCT. 11. The KPCC toddy committee, which is in the process of formulating the Congress party's views on the toddy policy, has received several interesting suggestions to tackle the vexed issue.

One of the interesting proposals relates to liberalising toddy tapping by permitting the coconut farmer to tap toddy from his palm. The proposal is to levy a tree tax in lieu of the licence to tap toddy.

The toddy thus available could be distributed by groups of toddy workers who are registered members of the toddy welfare fund board. The main idea, according to this school of thought, is to ensure availability of toddy in sufficient quantity. This issuance of licence would also rid the toddy sector from the dominance of the "contractor" and deliver the trade into the hands of the toddy tapper, it has been suggested.

According to Congress sources, the toddy policy, as far as the UDF is concerned, is not an administrative issue. It is indeed a political issue with strong caste undertones. But the main problem in the toddy sector is the dominance of the toddy contractor, who skims off the profit, leaving little to the tapper. Since the Government is reluctant to ban toddy as a whole in the larger interest of the toddy tappers, the best alternative before it is to promote a system which would benefit them directly, it has been suggested.

The KPCC toddy committee has started receiving several suggestions. The Congress leader, Mr. Vayalar Ravi, demanded institution of a licensing system for toddy shops on the lines of IMFL bars. In addition is the demand for the traditional auction system either on the basis of excise range or individual auctions. The toddy shops licence could be issued on the basis of a draw of lots depending on a set of parameters including the location of shops.

The prohibition council and other anti-liquor organisations are also expected to submit their views which would also be given due weightage.

The KPCC committee's decision to go in for public hearing to gather opinion on the toddy policy would open the flood gates of suggestions which might lead to a further delay in sorting out the toddy issue. The committee is scheduled to hold its evidence gathering exercise on October 23 and 24 at the Government guest house. Those interested in giving their opinions or suggestions have been asked to submit them in writing.

With more and more suggestions trickling in, the toddy debate is likely to become more heated and is likely to take the matter away from the UDF's objective.

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Section  : Southern States
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