Kochi: Toddy shops open and close in a flash

KOCHI: The first day of toddy sale after a 50-day lockdown disappointed hundreds of drinkers in Ernakulam who thronged the toddy shops from morning as most of the shops remained shut due to delay in excise’s toddy-transport permit issuance and unavailability of toddy. Moreover, only 92 toddy shops opened in Ernakulam, which has more than 500 shops in 15 ranges, but those too ran out of toddy within hours forcing hundreds who queued under scorching sun to return home with the empty bottles they brought.
A total of 5,675 litres of toddy was sold in 92 shops opened in seven ranges in Ernakulam division on the first day.The highest sales were recorded in Aluva range where 1,948 litres of toddy was sold. In Angamaly it was 1,650 litres and in Ernakulam, 567 litres were sold. The least amount of toddy was sold in Kuttampuzha range — 160 litres. The shops at Angamaly and Aluva were opened only in the afternoon due to delay in the arrival of toddy trucks from Palakkad.
Hundreds have started queuing outside each shop even before the opening time of 9am. Strict monitoring by excise and police was ensured in and around all toddy shops to control rush and maintain social distancing. Only two staffs, including the manager, was allowed at each shop. Wearing face masks was mandatory for all and serpentine queues were not permitted. All the customers had to bring their own bottles. Only toddy was allowed to be sold and permits to sell food is yet to be announced by the government. Once the stock was over, excise asked the owners to shut the shops to avoid queuing.
Toddy shop employees said that the lack of toddy has affected the sales very much and they hope to record better sales in the coming days as toddy tapping sector has revived over the past few days. More than 80% of toddy sold in Ernakulam is brought from Palakkad’s Chittoor and most shops are yet to get the pass to bring toddy from there amid lockdown.
“Only 70 litres of toddy was in stock in our shop and that was sold in two hours. Each bottle of 700ml was sold at Rs 40. There was much demand for toddy but we did not have the stock. If the permit to sell food is given, the business will increase,” said Biju Jose, manager of a toddy shop at Kaloor.
Ernakulam excise deputy commissioner A S Ranjith said that the crowd is expected to increase in the coming days as more shops will be opened. “The availability of toddy will increase and more shops will start functioning. But the excise department is ensuring that Covid-19 protocols are followed,” said Ranjith.