Not withstanding the ban imposed by the State government on toddy tapping, the Tamil Nadu Toddy Movement has decided to tap and sell toddy across Tamil Nadu from January 21.
A resolution to this effect was adopted at the general body meeting of the Tamil Nadu Toddy Movement held here on Tuesday.
Representatives of the Tamil Nadu Toddy Movement and various farmers’ associations took part in the meeting presided over by S. Nallasamy, field coordinator of the movement. Stating that toddy was part of food and not liquor, the movement said toddy tapping and its consumption was a food gathering right given to the people by the Constitution.
This right had been taken away only in Tamil Nadu and the ban imposed by the State government went against law and facts and against worldwide practice.
At a time when foreign liquor and those made in the country were being sold, there was no justification with respect to the ban imposed on tapping toddy which was a natural and healthier beverage, the resolution said.
Another resolution said until prohibition was implemented in Tamil Nadu, liquor sold through TASMAC outlets should be manufactured using palm and coconut as raw material. Mahadanapuram V. Rajaram, working president, Cauvery Delta Farmers’ Welfare Association and Puliyur Nagarajan, district president, Indhiya Vivasayigal Sangam, Tiruchi, was present.
