ALAPPUZHA: The lowly toddy shops have gained popularity with the closure of liquor bars. This was evident from the auction conducted in various excise ranges here on Wednesday. There were 240 bidders for 38 toddy shops which were, till last year, put up for resale as there were no takers. According to excise officials, Rs 14.2 lakh was collected in the auction. The unavailability of liquor due to the closure of Bevco outlets is the major reason for the scramble for the toddy shops.
As many as 11 shops in Mavelikara, six in Kuttanad and seven each in Cherthala, Kayamkulam and Alappuzha range were sold. Mr S. Sajeev, excise officer in charge of auction, said strict norms were clamped for the auction. The applicants needed to produce nine certificates regarding the facilities offered and the applications were approved only after the spot report of excise range officers concerned. The shops whose licences were suspended after being caught in abkari cases would be re-auctioned before March 17, 2017, he said.
The sale of toddy in the shops in Alappuzha and Kuttanad will pick up in the upcoming weeks due to the Nehru Trophy boat race next month. An average of 700 litres of toddy is being sold daily for tourists from 15 toddy shops situated on the banks of Punnamada lake. Each shop sells at least 30 litres of toddy during the season. Mr J. Jinu, owner of a toddy shop, says they get business mainly from the houseboats, which often anchor near the shops. “The authorities should ensure hygiene in the auctioned shops,” says Mr Switen George, vice-president, Kerala Houseboat Owners’ Association.
