Promote toddy not liquor, govt urged

Musheerabad: State secretary of toddy tappers association MV Ramana has demanded that the state government should not promote liquor industry in the state as it would have adverse impact on toddy industry.

Speaking to media here on Wednesday, Ramana said that the state government has been encouraging liquor industry by giving more permissions to permit rooms and belt shops, which would not only damage economic situation of the people but also affect their health. Criticising the liquor policy of the state, he said that increasing consumption of liquor would encourage anti-social elements and also result in atrocities against women.

Government should consider measures for encouraging gradual reduction in the consumption of liquor and declare two days in the week as dry days. This would also help provide employment to toddy tappers as more people would turn towards toddy, he said.