Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 30 (PTI) : The recent Kerala High Court observation on the possibility of banning toddy in the state has sparked a debate, with most political leaders opposing the idea fearing it would bring an end to centuries- old traditional occupation and render thousands jobless.

While state Excise Minister K Babu ruled out the possibility of prohibiting toddy, Marxist stalwart and opposition leader V S Achuthandndan said it would be an "impractical move fraught with far-reaching consequences."

The Indian Union Muslim League, the second largest constituent in the ruling Congress-led UDF, however, welcomed the High Court observation on the issue.

The high court had recently asked the Kerala government to "liberate" the state from the toddy menace. On September 20, it had asked government to think of discontinuing the toddy business to save the poor from the "evils" of alcohol and to prevent camouflaged sale of arrack and spurious liquor in the name of toddy.

Joining the debate, Achuthanandan said it would be an impractical move fraught with far-reaching consequences including loss of work for thousands.

Instead of mulling such flawed policies, the UDF government should crack down on sale of adulterated toddy and reducing sales hours of bar and IMFL outlets to discourage drinking habit, he said in a statement today.

In Kerala, toddy tapping has been a traditional occupation for centuries. Compared to alcoholic drinks, toddy is less harmful and it is a natural yield used for making some of non-alcoholic products as well," he said.

Prohibition of toddy would render thousands jobless and grievously harm coconut cultivation, which is already in deep crisis, he said.

It was true that adulterated toddy was being sold in outlets, which called for government to take stringent measures to check its sale, he said.

When the LDF was in power, toddy shops were handed over to toddy co-operatives. It was the UDF government which reversed that policy and entrusted them to private contractors, he said.

Achuthanandan said he agreed with the recent High Court suggestion that it would be desirable to regulate sales hours of bars and liquor outlets between 5 PM and 10 PM.
The excise minister, however, said in Kochi, "it is not the United Democratic Front's policy to close down toddy shops. The court's order is not practical."

IUML, however, welcomed the High Court observation and demanded the government to initiate steps for phase-by-phase prohibition of toddy in the state.