Tasmac outlets reopen after 3 days, to be shut on April 21

CHENNAI: After a gap of three days, the liquor shops in Tamil Nadu were opened on Saturday. However, the Tasmac outlets would be closed again on Sunday (today) on the account of Mahavir Jayanthi.

Every year, there will be no sale of liquor for eight days such as in Gandhi Jayanthi Day, Thiruvalluvar Day, Mahavir Jayanthi Day, Birth Day Eve of Nabigal Nayagam, Vadalur Ramalingar Ninaivu Naal, Independence Day, Republic Day and May Day. However, the closing holidays of Tasmac liquor outlets were increased to 12 this year.

The liquor shops were closed from April 17 to April 19 due to general elections and as a part of model code of conduct. Even all the liquor bars in the hotels of different categories were also closed for three days. In addition, the Tasmac outlets will also be closed on June 4 as the general elections' results were to be announced.

Due to the closure of Tasmac liquor shops from April 17 to 19, the sales of liquor on April 15 and April 16 alone touched Rs 250 crore since most of the consumers stocked the liquor. A senior official from Tasmac said that the liquor shops will also be closed on May 1

He said the special flying squads, which were formed in the regional offices located at Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Salem and Tiruchirappalli for inspection, have ensured that the liquor was not sold in any Tasmac outlets between April 17 to 19. "However, liquor, which might have been sold illegally from private persons during this period, will have to be checked with the help of the state police", he added.