THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even after 25 years of banning arrack, over 12,000 arrack workers who lost their jobs are yet to receive any benefits from the government. The whereabouts of Rs 1345 crore collected as foreign liquor cess in the 'Punarjani project', a scheme of the former UDF government to help bar and arrack workers, is unknown. The Pinarayi government had also made assurances.

In 1996, arrack was banned by the AK Antony government. The subsequent Left government paid Rs 30,000 each to those who lost their jobs. The promise to safeguard workers went in vain. About 350 workers committed suicide. The next of kin were given employment, which is the only relief.

The Abkari Welfare Fund was set up when there were arrack shops. The worker and the contractor were supposed to pay 10 percent of the wages to the fund, with the government giving an extra 5 percent share. With the ban, the welfare fund disappeared. The payments weren't returned either. There is no pension for arrack workers as well.

Cess went in vain

When the Oommen Chandy government closed down bars in 2014, it introduced a four per cent cess on foreign liquor for some time under the 'Punarjani' scheme, which began to help bar workers and alcoholics who lost their jobs. A few workers were given temporary jobs at Bevco. The government's RTI reply is that Sesai has collected Rs 1345 crore.

Promise in progress report

The Pinarayi government's 2020 progress report states that a job package will be implemented for the tapping, arrack, and bar workers who have lost their jobs. It is said that 'Suraksha' rehabilitation scheme has been set up through the Abkari Welfare Fund Board to help unemployed toddy and bar workers. Even as the government reaches the end of its tenure, the workers received nothing.