After the imposition of total prohibition of liquor in Bihar, the sale of toddy (the fermented intoxicated form of juice extracted from palm/toddy tree) was also banned. But soon the government came with an idea of promoting neera or the non-fermented form of the same juice. Plans are under way to develop neera on the lines of feni of Goa. Neera does not cause intoxication.
The industry minister of Bihar said,
To prevent the loss of livelihood of people associated with toddy trade, the government is seriously thinking about processing, packaging and marketing of this drink. By the end of the current financial year, neera will be marketed in different forms This project could be part of announcement of industrial policy in June.Jai Kumar Singh, Industry Minister
He said by processing neera on the lines of feni, the government of Bihar would encourage the production of various neera-based products that do not cause intoxication. Bihar government will not allow products made of toddy juice because these are intoxicating.
Feni is a local drink generally made of cashew, apples or coconut which the government of Goa has classified under “country liquor” segment. Neera can be obtained from toddy trees only for 4 months but the government plans to make it available round the year by processing it as as a drink Nitish Kumar has also said that a plan has been formulated and a committee has also been constituted to this effect.
Information Being Gathered on Neera
Tamil Nadu has the maximum number of toddy trees and with the help of Indian Council of Research, the agricultural university of Tamil Nadu has been doing an in depth research for the last 25 years on toddy. The Bihar government has obtained detailed information on this subject from the scientists in Tamil Nadu.
A trader associated with the toddy trade said juice extracted before sunrise from the toddy tree is neera. Apart from this other products such as ‘khada’ are also beneficial. Industry minister said those associated with toddy trade should form self help group or cooperative societies and collection and processing of neera should be done through these only.
The state government will provide necessary help in promoting their business. The Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav said we are working for the welfare of the people. Plans are afoot to develop neera as an alternative to toddy. The government hopes to generate income to the tune nearly Rs.6000 from one toddy tree by promoting the sale of neera. It is not possible to get the same return from toddy.
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