Tobacco merchants resent govt apathy

An All Kerala Tobacco Merchants Association meet was held yesterday at Casino Hotel auditorium to discuss the problems faced by the tobacco merchants.
Association president K Venkitachalam said, "The government is doing wrong to more than two lakh dealers in Kerala by conducting illegal raids at shops selling tobacco."
It's been one year since this association was formed and problems are ever increasing, he said. The government is collecting taxes on tobacco and seizing the same material stating that a minimum distance of 400 metres should be maintained from schools.

This kind of action should be reverted, he pointed out. "We have given petitions to the chief minister and the deputy general of police," said Venkitachalam.
Also present at the event were Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi state president T Nasurideen, secretary Dr M Jayaprakash, Youth Wing state president Sijo Chirakkekaren, Thrissur city unit secretary Jaison Erinjery, Jacob Varghese of ITC and Kozhikode secretary Sethumadhavan.