Why do Tasmac shops open by noon, asks Madras high court

Chennai: At a time when even school children are becoming addicted to alcohol, a concerned Madras high court finds a necessity to reduce sales timings. The court has asked the state government why not the TASMAC shops hereafter be opened from 2 pm, after lunch.

A division bench comprising Justices N. Kirubakaran and V.Parthiban posed this query while passing further interim orders on a petition relating to TASMAC shops.

Noticing a news report relating to illegal bars operating round the clock in the northern peripheries of the city, the bench had, on April 18, issued several directions to the DGP and other TASMAC officials to close down such illegal bars and file a status report. Accordingly, the authorities filed reports dated April 26 and 27.

After perusing the reports, the bench said it was stated in the status reports that many raids were conducted by the police department and it was stated that about 100 FIRs have been registered and 81 persons were said to have been arrested. It was also stated that for the past 6 months about 3,613 FIRs have been registered and 3,255 persons have been arrested pursuant to the raids conducted by the TASMAC officials and the police.

“Even though the status reports state that many raids were conducted, only 100 FIRs have been registered and 81 persons alone have been arrested between April 18 and 23. It would only go to show that the raids are not properly conducted. 

Therefore, the authorities shall continue to conduct raids to see that there is no illegal vending or illegal bars run by third parties which will not only go against the public interest but also go against the financial interest of the government. A comprehensive report and also the response to the queries raised by this court should be filed on June 11, 2018”, the bench added.

Since TASMAC shops are opened by noon, addicts and weak-minded persons, especially school going children, were tempted to buy liquor, because of availability and access through these shops.  It was represented that the TASMAC shops were opened from noon to 10 pm. It was not known why the shops were opened even before the lunch hours, the bench added and posed 7 queries to be answered by the TASMAC and state government.