Vayalar Ravi condemns double-talk

By Girish Menon

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, OCT. 9. The Congress leader and former KPCC president, Mr. Vayalar Ravi, today strongly condemned the double- talk on the liquor policy which discriminated between toddy and IMFL sold through liquor bars.

In an interview with The Hindu here today, Mr. Ravi made it very clear that he favoured issuing of licences for toddy shops on the lines of bar licences issued for the retail sale of IMFL.

He said that the number of toddy shops could be fixed on the basis of toddy available. He also called for a discussion with the toddy workers' unions to settle their terms of service in order to regulate the cost of overheads in the sector.

He suggested that toddy shop licences be given to individuals who were in the field traditionally or who had experience in running such shops. At the same time, steps should be taken to ensure that illicit liquor did not flow through these shops.

He said that the CPI(M) wanted to perpetuate the toddy workers' cooperatives for obvious reasons. He admitted to differences in the UDF and the Congress over the alternative system to replace the workers' cooperatives, which had been opposed by all partners in the UDF.

He said the alternatives so far proposed were impractical. For example, it would be difficult for the Excise Department to run toddy shops. ``The best way out is to go for the simplest form - issuing toddy shop licences to individuals,'' he said.

In reply to a question, Mr. Ravi said the CPI(M) itself had admitted that the LDF Government's policy on toddy had contributed to its defeat. Unlike other sectors, nearly 90 per cent of a particular community depended on the toddy sector for their livelihood.

``The basic question before the UDF is not about formulating a policy for the toddy sector. Are we talking about a toddy policy or the liquor policy? Unfortunately, the entire issue is now revolving around toddy.''

``But the liquor sector also includes 400 IMFL bars in the State and there are reports that `seconds' are being sold through the bars leading to huge revenue loss for the Government besides opening up chances for tragedies,' Mr. Ravi said.

Wondering why no one was demanding auction of IMFL bars, Mr. Ravi said the bar lobby had emerged very strong and could influence the socio-political life.

He alleged that the bar licences were being transferred for huge amounts and the price tells the tale of manipulation and malpractice.

Besides, the bar lobby was opposed to the sale of good quality IMFL through the outlets of the Beverages Corporation. ``The bar lobby is developing into a liquor mafia,'' he said and demanded strong action against malpractices in the bars.

Mr. Ravi was optimistic about the UDF arriving at a settlement which would be acceptable to all sections concerned.

Tribal stir

Our Staff Reporter reports from Kollam: With regard to the ongoing agitation by Adivasis, he said the State Government had shown a very positive attitude and the Adivasis appeared to be happy about it initially.

However, some group has compelled them to change their approach towards the Government which has resulted in putting them in a predicament. He called upon the Adivasis to cooperate with the State Government.

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