Tamil Nadu allowed to fix framework for liquor sale

Chennai

A bench comprising Justices Ashok Bhushan, Sanjay Kishan Kaul and M R Shah said that the medium for sale of alcohol is for the State government to decide, and it is not for the court to lay down a framework as to how it can be sold.

The apex court accepted the plea by Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) that it cannot be instructed to sell liquor only through online mode and home delivery.

The top court also agreed that regulations for the sale of alcohol have to be laid down by the State government. The TASMAC agreed to file an affidavit within three weeks regarding the standard operating procedure (SOP) put in place for the sale of liquor in retail shops.

In May, the apex court had stayed the Madras High Court order for the closure of State-owned liquor vends during the lockdown, as people, while purchasing liquor, blatantly violated social distancing norms.

The apex court, after considering the appeal of TASMAC, stayed the Madras High Court order passed on May 8. “We can only say, it is for the government to consider online delivery, it is up to the government to decide,” said the court.