The Tamil Nadu Toddy Movement today warned of intensified agitations if the state government does not lift the ban on toddy tapping and sales, on the lines of Bihar and Kerala.

Reiterating its stand that toddy was not an alcoholic drink, but a traditional health drink, the members of the toddy movement, in a statement, said that toddy tapping and sales were guaranteed under the Indian Constitution, which was deprived in Tamil Nadu for the past 29 years.

The movement was fighting for the last 10 years to lift the ban, its coordinator, S. Nallasamy said.

Stating that Bihar, which imposed prohibition from April last, has allowed the sales of toddy, Nallasamy added that even in Kerala, there was no restriction on toddy sales, despite the decision to bring in prohibition in phases.

When the Coconut Welfare Board and Agriculture sector in the country were trying to produce sugar from sweet toddy and market it across the globe, Tamil Nadu was closing its eyes on lifting the ban on toddy. Urging the state government to lift the ban on toddy, Nallasamy warned of an intensified agitation if the government failed to announce a favourable decision immediately.