The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : PMK to back toddy tapping

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Monday, Jun 22, 2009
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

PMK to back toddy tapping

Special Correspondent

“It could be allowed till prohibition becomes a reality”

“Cabinet considering granting permission
to six distilleries”
PMK seeks legislation to protect palm trees

S.Ramadoss

CHENNAI: PMK leader S. Ramadoss, who has been demanding total prohibition in Tamil Nadu, on Sunday supported toddy tapping, arguing that it could be allowed till prohibition was achieved.

Participating in a discussion organised by Tamil Nadu Uzhavar Periyakkam, an umbrella organisation for various farmer associations, he said while he had not supported toddy tapping, he had not spoken against it either since it was expected to help coconut farmers.

“There is no change in my view that liquor is an evil, wrecking families and society. But I don’t believe that prohibition will become a reality,” he said. Recalling the government’s decision to reduce the working hours of liquor shops by an hour, Dr. Ramadoss said such measures would not make any difference when it was allowing more and more distilleries. “The Cabinet is considering the proposal for granting permission to 6 more distilleries,” he alleged. The PMK leader urged the government to enact a legislation to prevent the felling of palm trees.

Alleging that the state government failed to secure the State’s rights over sharing of water of inter-State rivers, he said Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Rajasekhara Reddy remained a model for all Chief Minister when it came to extending irrigation facilities by constructing small dams. PMK legislature party leader G.K.Mani said he had submitted a request to the Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker seeking permission to raise the issue of police action against coconut farmers for toddy tapping.

Indian Uzhavar Uzhaippazhar Katchi leader K. Manikandan said sugar mill owners would listen to farmers only if they brought down sugarcane cultivation.

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