Prove toddy is beverage, healthy food or liquor: Assn to DMK

: The Federation of Tamil Nadu Agriculturists Association today said it would give up its decade old stir for lifting the ban on toddy if DMK clearly stated whether it is a beverage, healthy food or liquor.
The Association today asked DMK to define in its assembly election manifesto whether toddy is a healthy beverage or comes under liquor.
Their representation to the DMK election manifesto committee, headed by former minister T R Baalu, came in the backdrop of DMK's announcement that it would bring in prohibition if voted to power in the 2016 assembly polls.
Association secretary S Nallasami said the Tamil Nadu Toddy Movement has been fighting for lifting the toddy ban for the last one decade. "In view of DMK's announcement that it would bring in prohibition if it comes to power, they should clearly state in its manifesto whether toddy is a healthy food and beverage or liquor," he said.

If DMK succeeded in proving that toddy is liquor, they would withdraw its demand and also the stir, he said.
On other points affecting farmers, he said DMK should spell out its policy on water for irrigation as farmers require uninterrupted water supply to protect their crops.
Stating that the party has to fix the prices for agricultural produce based on the recommendations of M S Swaminathan committee, Nallasami said there should be a separate agriculture budget on the lines of railways.
If elected, DMK government should take steps to procure turmeric directly from growers, who were suffering due to fluctation in the prices, effecting their livelihood, he said.