State asks High Court to modify its order on TASMAC shops

When the summer vacation division bench comprising Justice K Kalyanasundaram and Justice SM Subramaniam commenced its sitting for the day on Wednesday, the Additional Advocate General K Venkatramani made a mention on the need to modify the ban imposed by a division bench on opening of TASMAC shops in residential areas as it was costing the State exchequer dear. 

However, the bench on acknowledging the submission directed the AAG to file a petition in this regard and that it would be taken up for hearing in due course. The plea is likely to come up before the bench on Thursday.

The division bench comprising Justice N Kirubakaran and Justice V Parthiban in an order on May 8 had directed the State not to relocate or open TASMAC shops in residential areas, saying the sentiments of people, mostly women, agitating on the issue should be accorded importance as they were the victims of liquor consumption. It had also held, “The authorities should give paramount importance to people’s sentiment and feelings rather than showing interest in relocating or opening of liquor shops which are shattering families.”

The bench in its order had also said that TASMAC liquor shops should not be opened wherever there was a ‘grama sabha’ resolution against their location in villages or town or any local body. Also, the bench while dealing with rampant agitation against the opening or relocating of TASMAC shops had directed the police not to arrest or take action against the agitators provided they demonstrate peacefully, without causing inconvenience to the public.