HC dismisses plea against toddy status to Neera

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition challenging the state government’s decision to bring ‘Neera’,  a drink from coconut palms, under the definition of toddy and consequently in the category of liquor.A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice J Chelameswar and Justice P R Ramachandra Menon passed the order while considering the  petition filed by K J Abraham of Mannarkad and five others.  The petitioners submitted that ‘Neera’ is a sweet juice and was not an intoxicating drink.  The petitioner also challenged the government’s decision to prohibit tapping of  Neera from coconut palm. The state government informed that ‘Neera’ has the potential for fermentation rapidly without great effort and becomes alcoholic. “It cannot be said that the legislature went beyond its constitutional authority in bringing ‘Neera’ within the definition of toddy,” the court said.