ALAPPUZHA: The Supreme Court banning liquor shops along the national and state highways have left the toddy tappers high and dry. Tourists preferred the nature’s drink that Kuttanad produces abundantly as a soft drink. But the court verdict led to the closure of 133 outlets in Alappuzha 665 job losses. D. P. Madhu, district secretary, Toddy Tappers Federation, says they were jobless for last three-month.
“Many stopped serving the drink, and there are few takers left. The tappers were forced to sell their product illegally since they go waste. With the excise department tightening the screw, they had lost that option too," he says.
"While other states secured waivers from SC, Kerala lost that opportunity as the government approached the court three months late."
As per the verdict, in the panchayats having a population of 15,000, toddy shops should keep a 250-metre distance from highways, while it's 500 metres for the less populated. Many gave up after they faced fierce resistance from local people against shifting them to their areas. Excise department says out of 574 outlets, 133 are sealed off.
