What, less Toddy?
View(s):New regulations have been promulgated banning the extraction of toddy from the coconut tree. Amendments to the Excise (Amendment) Act, No. of 2017 which comes into operation on January 1, 2018 says, “(b) no tree producing toddy, other than kithul tree shall be tapped”.
It goes on to state that “no toddy shall be drawn or lowered from any tree other than the kithul tree.”
While the reason for this is not given in the October 24 gazette notification, it is generally believed the decision may have been influenced by the rising cost of coconut and lower yields. Toddy is tapped mainly from the sap of the coconut flower, and the latest move will badly hit coconut arrack producers. It would also cause a ripple effect in the southern and western regions where many are employed as toddy tappers.