KANNUR: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that if fresh toddy is served in the right way, it will be the most nutritious. Every region has its own types of traditional alcoholic beverages. He was inaugurating a development seminar jointly organized by Padyam Gopalan Learning Research Center and Kannur District Library Council.

In the liquor policy, it has been decided to provide local toddy immediately after tapping to resorts and hotels in tourist centers. ‘The toddy immediately after tapping... anyone who knows about it understands that it is not highly intoxicating. If it is served correctly, it can be one of the most nutritious drinks,’ said the Chief Minister. When the liquor policy was announced, some justifications were provided. However, those can be considered later. There is no need to include all of that in the policy. Instead, the focus should be on thoughtful implementation of the policy considering necessary precautions and measures. Last day, LDF convener E P Jayarajan also stated that toddy is not merely alcohol but can be seen as a nutritional product.