TN’s Cola-veri Spreads to Kerala

Following the footsteps of Tamil Nadu traders, their counterparts in Kerala have decided not to stock or sell Coke and Pepsi.

Tamil Nadu’s Cola-veri – war against multinationals Pepsi and Coke – has spread to God’s Own Country.

The Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi has decided to stop sale of Coca Cola and PepsiCo soft-drinks from March 14.

Instead of Coke and Pepsi, the traders would promote local beverages like tender coconuts.  But with an unprecedented drought griping Kerala, where will tender coconuts come from?

Kerala traders took the decision not to sell Coke or Pepsi alleging that both multinational companies have been depleting the state’s water resources. Separately, the Kerala government said it plans to restrict the use of groundwater by PepsiCo at Palakkad.

The traders would make a formal announcement of the boycott on March 14 after seeking support of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, said Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi  president T Nazaruddin.

However, malls and multiplexes have not taken a decision to boycott Coke and Pepsi.

Around seven lakh shops and traders will join the boycott and it will be a major setback to the two companies. In Tamil Nadu, the multinationals are set to lose 1400 crore rupees annually if the ban is strictly implemented. In Kerala it is likely to be 1000 crore.