Tamil Nadu: Stalin Govt's Under Attack Over Decision To Open Standalone Bars

PMK Youth Wing leader and former Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss on Thursday disapproved of the Tamil Nadu government for considering shutting down bars attached to the TASMAC liquor outlets and allow standalone bars in the state.

Ambumani Ramadoss

Chennai: Citing DMK's basic principles, Ramadoss said, it is the same party that advocated a total prohibition of liquor shops in the state and also brought out manifesto for the same before 2016 Assembly elections.
 
The PMK leader warned that if the DMK government under Chief Minister M.K. Stalin moves ahead with this proposal, the PMK would be forced to hold agitations against the state government.
 
Writing a letter to the state government on Thursday, Ramadoss said that this step would lead the opening of standalone bars even in the residential areas, which would create a major issue for women and children. 
 
Stating that this may bring a serious law and order problem for the state government, the PMK leader demanded the DMK government not to go ahead with the proposal.

Apparently, the Tamil Nadu government has conducted a series of meetings with Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited (TASMAC) officials to bring forth their opinion on shutting down bars attached to the TASMAC liquor shops and instead open new standalone bars.

The proposed move, according to the senior officials privy to the meeting, is aimed at increasing the revenue share from liquor sale in order to support the state's economy which is affected by the Covid pandemic.

TASMAC outlets contribute annual revenue of Rs 440 crore to The state government and standalone bars are likely to increase the state government's liquor sales revenue share by more than three times if opened. 
However, the Swadeshi Jagaran Manch (SJM) in Tamil Nadu along with PMK leader Ramadoss is against the proposed move to allow standalone bars. 

The joint secretary of the state unit of SJM, Mahesh Krisnhamoorty, told IANS, "Private standalone bars would create law and order problems in the state. SJM has always been against promoting liquor and now the DMK government is planning a free-flow of alcohol, which would lead to major anarchy in the state."