Todday To Help Tide Over Covid Crisis?

Researchers say a non-restrictive liquor policy could help Tamil Nadu bounce back stronger economically

- T Muruganandham

A liberal liquor policy combined with reforms in agriculture sector could play a key role in helping Tamil Nadu tide over the impacts of Covid-19 crisis, say researchers. The scholars with the Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS) have released 11 policy papers on the short-term and long-term measures to recover from impacts of Covid-19.

Professor PG Babu, Director, MIDS, told TNIE that the policy papers contemplated diverse issues besides suggesting appropriate policy measures. He said this series would be useful in designing the State’s post-pandemic economic policy.

Potential of palmyra, coconut trees

The policy paper released by Professor L Venkatachalam on the “Reforms in the Agriculture Sector during the post-Covid-19 era” has made many key suggestions which include allowing toddy tapping as a cheaper alternative to Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) and promoting alternative medicines.

“Since coconut and palmyra trees are abundantly available in Tamil Nadu, their untapped benefits should be properly utilised. Toddy tapping will provide direct employment and income generation for the households involved in it while the coconut farmers will get additional income from renting the trees for toddy tapping, apart from regular income from selling ripe coconut, tender coconut and other coconut-based products,” Professor Venkatachalam said.