HC stays GO permitting serving of liquor at sports events

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Wednesday stayed the operation of a Government Order permitting serving of liquor at conference halls, convention centres during national conferences, summits and sports events.

Hearing a Public Interest Litigation plea, the division bench comprising Justices S Vaidyanathan and R Kalaimathi issued an interim stay on the G.O. and directed the state government to respond to a plea and adjourned the hearing to June 14.

During the hearing, Advocate General R Shunmugasundaram submitted that the rules for serving liquor at public places such as wedding halls have been cancelled and a revised Government Order has been issued on April 24 to grant licenses to serve liquor during international/national conferences, summits and sports events.

However, counsel MR Jothi Maniyan representing the petitioner K Balu requested the court to stay the amended Government Order permitting serving of liquor not only in public places, but also in international/national conferences, summits and sport events and the petitioner will file an additional petition regarding the new amendment.

K Balu, President - Advocates' Forum for Social Justice filed a Public Interest Litigation seeking an order declaring that impugned amendment to the Tamil Nadu Liquor (Licence and Permit) Rules, 1981 issued by the Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Home, Prohibition and Excise Department as illegal, unconstitutional and against the interest of public.

In his affidavit, the petitioner claimed that the Tamil Nadu was an alcohol-free State till 1971 and from 2003, the State government began enjoying a monopoly over wholesale as well as retail business of liquor through the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC).

"The police, tasked with maintaining law and order, do not raise even a whimper of a protest when Tasmac establishes liquor shops and bars even in residential localities. The Madras High Court had elaborately dealt with the evils of liquor consumption in a judgment delivered on May 11, 2017. Despite such judicial pronouncements, the government had decided to issue special licences for serving liquor on commercial premises such as marriage halls and even for household celebrations, functions and parties. Since many marriage halls and banquet halls were situated in residential areas, it would cause a great amount of annoyance to the residents. These stipulations would go for a toss if serving liquor was permitted in convention centres, conference halls, marriage halls, banquet halls and sports stadiums," he added.