KOCHI: Even though 418 bar hotels have been closed for more than 50 days, there are no takers for 916 toddy shops - almost one-fourth of the total 4,100 licensed outlets - and the state government has been forced to look for alternatives to ensure that toddy workers are not rendered jobless.
Kerala Abkari Workers Welfare Fund Board chairman C K Rajan said there should have been a great demand for the takeover of toddy shops as many bar hotels remained closed.
In each range, a group of employees will be entrusted with running six toddy shops.
The employees won’t have to pay the auction amount to the government. There is an allegation that the move will help toddy contractors operate the shops on behalf of the employees.
Kerala Toddy Workers Welfare Fund Board chairman N Azhakeshan said this was the first time the government had tried to entrust employees with the functioning of toddy shops on a large scale.
“A group of employees will be formed to look after the everyday activities of toddy shops. The employees will have to pay only `500 a year to the government,” he said. Azhakeshan also said it should be ensured that there wouldn’t be any intervention from the contractors in the functioning of toddy shops. Contractors are allowed only to participate in the auction, he added.
Tappers will be provided with the minimum wages only if they are able to provide 150 litres of toddy a month. Running toddy shops will become more profitable if the shops are converted into toddy parlours having better infrastructure and a neat atmosphere, Rajan said.
“At present only one toddy parlour is allowed in a district. This can be increased if the toddy shops approach the government after providing more facilities,” he said.
Kerala Chethuthozhilali Federation treasurer M Surendran said handing over toddy shops to employees was successful except in certain areas. The government should go for alternatives to ensure that the livelihoods of those in toddy industry are not affected. The sector is in crisis as there is a shortage of workers and they are not getting the minimum wages. Also, some toddy contractors are withdrawing from the industry as they don’t find it profitable, he said.