EPS, Anbumani decry installation of liquor vending machines

CHENNAI: AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Saturday condemned the installation of a liquor vending machine in an elite Tasmac shop located in a mall in Chennai and further plans of the ruling DMK to install machines in other elite liquor shops in the State.

He took to his official Twitter handle and shared a statement from the party that read, "The DMK regime in the last two years, instead of working for the welfare of the people, has been working to spoil the future of the youth of the State. I have pointed out several times in the forum and through the media that murder, robbery, and violence are increasing due to the ruling party. While there is a growing voice that liquor should not be sold to those below 21 years of age at Tasmac retail outlets, it is strongly condemnable that the DMK has started selling liquor through automated vending machines."

"An automatic liquor vending machine has been introduced in Chennai yesterday and moreover, there are reports that more than 800 such machines are going to be installed across the State, which has caused great shock among the public. The introduction of liquor vending machines to corrupt the youth is strongly condemned. It is a shame that this ruling DMK government's Chief Minister M K Stalin is involved in such activities with only consideration of revenue, without any concern for the people."

"While the World Health Organisation (WHO) advises that drinking ordinary soft drinks is harmful to health, the DMK government is encouraging the youth to consume alcoholic beverages freely. The AIADMK strongly condemns the ruling government, which is working to increase the deaths caused by alcohol in the State and is planning to target the people to fill its government and private coffers. DMK should immediately abandon the plan to sell liquor through vending machines."

On April 28 evening, for the first time, a liquor vending machine was installed in the elite Tasmac shop located in a mall in Chennai.

A senior official from Tasmac said that the government has plans to install liquor vending machines in other elite liquor shops depending on the response from the customer.

Meanwhile, PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss also condemned the decision and said that his party would move the court against the government’s move.

“Since the Tasmac shop keepers could not monitor the vending machines, the children could easily access it and get the liquor,” he said.

Ramadoss claimed that fear has been created whether the government would also introduce online liquor sales as another step.

(With inputs from Bureau)