The Madras High Court stayed a Government Order (GO) permitting the serving of liquor in conference halls and convention centres during national conferences, summits and sports events on Wednesday.
The Madras High Court gave the judgment while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by K Balu, President, Advocate's Forum for Social Justice.
On Tuesday, the PIL came up for hearing before a division bench of Justices S. Vaidyanathan and R. Kalaimathi who issued an interim stay on the government order. The court also directed the state government to respond.
The High Court then adjourned the case till June 14.
State Advocate General R Shanmugasundaram, appearing for the government, informed the court that the rules for serving liquor at public places such as wedding halls have been cancelled and a revised government order was issued on April 24 to grant licenses to serve liquor during international/national conferences, summits and sports events.
Balu's counsel M R Jothi Maniyan requested the court to stay the amended government order permitting serving of liquor not only in public places, but also during international/ national conferences, summits and sports events. He said that Balu will file an additional petition regarding the new amendment.
Earlier, Balu in his affidavit claimed that Tamil Nadu was alcohol-free till 1971. However, the government started enjoying the monopoly over the wholesale as well as retail business of liquor through Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac).
In his petition, Balu said that the Madras High Court had dealt with the "evils" of liquor consumption in a judgment delivered on May 11, 2017 and even after such judicial pronouncements, the government had issued special licenses to serve liquor at the commercial premises like marriage halls and even for household celebrations and parties.
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