CPI(M) flays move to dissolve toddy coops.

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JUNE 16. The CPI(M) State secretariat has strongly condemned the UDF Government's move to dissolve the toddy workers' cooperatives.

In a statement here today, the CPI(M) secretariat pointed out that the LDF Government had decided to hand over the toddy industry to toddy workers' cooperatives in the context of the hooch tragedy in Kollam. The policy was not implemented with sufficient preparations for want of time. Still, the concept of workers' cooperative in a sector dominated by vested interests was welcomed by everyone. The new policy was implemented taking into account the views of all major trade unions in the industry.

The LDF Government's decision to place retail sale of Indian Made Foreign Liquor had also proved to be financially beneficial to the Government.

Even those, who had tried to mislead the people about the LDF's liquor policy, have now begun to admit that the changes have done good for the State.

However, the Finance Minister, Mr. K. Sankaranarayanan, had declared long ago that the toddy workers' cooperatives would be disbanded and the Government was now trying to implement his declaration.

The appropriate thing to do was to rectify anomalies, if any, in the new policy. However, the new Government was trying to take the State back to the age of the liquor mafia. All those who want a correct liquor policy for the State should oppose the UDF bid to place the industry at the feet of the liquor mafia, the CPI(M) secretariat said.

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Section  : Southern States
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