Synthetic alternatives to toddy, having toxic chemical composition and high alcoholic content, are flowing out of Chittur, the traditional hub of toddy production in the State, to various parts of Kerala.
With the end of rainy season, coconut groves in Chittur taluk are witnessing a fall in daily production of toddy, but that has not in any way affected the requirement of more than 4,000 licensed toddy outlets across the State.
1,300 permits
As per the data available with the Excise Department, the State government has issued 1,300 permits to transport 3,00,000 litres of toddy a day from Chittur to other parts of the State.
Though coconut growers and the Excise Department officials confirm that the actual toddy production in Chittur was way below the permitted amount, the supply had not been disrupted so far. The trees which provided 1.5 litres of toddy on an average a day in the monsoon season are now giving a maximum of one litre a day.
Climate change and multiple diseases to coconut palms have started affecting productivity of coconut groves in Chittur.
“On Saturday, 60 litres of a chemical concoction was seized from a truck which reached Chittur to carry toddy to Kottayam, Ettumanur and Karukavila.
The tacit support of the Excise Department is helping the spurious liquor business in Chittur,” alleges S. Guruvayurappan, social activist and environmentalist.
Over 8 lakh litres
Chittur used to produce 78 per cent of the 8.35 lakh litres of toddy supplied through retail outlets. According to prohibition act ivists, daily toddy consumption in the State is at least two lakh litres more than the production in the State. Forensic chemical examinations have found that the toddy from Chittur contain chloral hydrate, a sedative and hypnotic drug.
A chemical concoction of saccharine, lead, sulphated ash, and benzoic acid is also being used for making spurious toddy.
Insiders say bootleggers mix 100 litres of genuine toddy with 70 litres of illicit spirit and 100 gm each of the chemicals with water to make 1,000 litres of fake toddy.
“The actual production cost of genuine toddy is Rs.50 a litre.
“However, the same quantity of spurious toddy can be manufactured for less than Rs.5 and it is retailed at Rs.80 or more through licensed outlets,” says Arumugan Pathichira, Aam Aadmi Party leader in Chittur.
Toddy consumption in State at least 2 lakh litres above production
Hypnotic drugs, led and other chemicals used
Daily toddy consumption in Kerala is at least 2 lakh litres above production.
