With the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), the trade union wing of the Communist Party of India (CPI), announcing public protests against the new liquor policy of the State government, Minister for Excise and Local Self-Governments M.B. Rajesh has expressed hope that the differences could be ironed out through discussions.
Speaking at a meet-the-press event organised by the Kesari Memorial Journalists’ Trust here on Friday, Mr. Rajsh said the policy aims at protecting the toddy sector through modernisation.
“The focus of the policy itself is to protect the toddy sector. In its present state, the sector has no future. We have to look at the scenario realistically. Youngsters are not coming to the sector from traditional toddy-tapping families. The government’s focus is on modernising the sector to create more jobs as well as to attract tourists by offering them better amenities. We will also ensure that the jobs of the existing workers are protected,” said Mr. Rajesh.
