Southern States
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Kerala
Kurien flays Sudheeran stand
By Our Staff Reporter
PATHANAMTHITTA, DEC. 5. The Congress leader and former Union Minister, Mr. P.J. Kurien, today took strong exception to Mr. V.M. Sudheeran's reported criticism of the KPCC recommendation for individual licensing system for toddy shops on the lines of the existing bar licensing system.
Reacting to the ongoing controversy over the issue here today, Prof. Kurien said that by doing so Mr. Sudheeran was hitting a `self-goal' in an attempt to boost his own `image'.
Prof. Kurien said that it was quite improper on the part of a party leader like Mr. Sudheeran to take political mileage by stating in public on the deliberations of a closed-door meeting of the KPCC. Once the KPCC takes a decision, it becomes a party decision and not that of an individual, he said.
Prof. Kurien said the pertinent question in the present socio-political scenario was not who was going to run the toddy shops in the State, but how to effectively check the illicit liquor trade in the State.
He said the KPCC sub-committee recommendation was to set up charitable societies headed by the respective tahsildar to run a particular toddy shop.
``However, what I personally felt is that such a system would only provide more scope for illicit liquor trade at these toddy shops as the police and Excise officials may find it difficult to conduct effective raids at these shops,'' Prof. Kurien said.
He said that he had made his stand clear at the KPCC meet that prohibition should be implemented in a phased manner. But, there should not be any discrimination between the toddy shops, IMFL outlets and bars while implementing it, he added.
He said that those who were traditionally engaged in toddy tapping should not be displaced. According to him, both the toddy and Indian-made foreign liquor are equally injurious to health. However, he said that he had favoured the reduction in the total number of both toddy shops and bars as a first step to prohibition.
Prof. Kurien said that the KPCC decision was aimed at eliminating illicit liquor trade in the best interests of the State. But, the Government should take stern and strong measures to check the illicit liquor trade, he added.
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