Tasmac relocation: Madras High Court tells state to pass orders in 6 weeks

Chennai: The Madras high court has directed the state government to consider and pass orders within six weeks, on a representation, which sought to revisit the existing prohibition of policy of the state and its rules of TN Retail Liquor Vending Rules in respect of relocation or establishment of Tasmac shops/bars in residential areas.

The First Bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice Abdul Quddhose gave the directive on a PIL filed by K.Balu, president of Advocates’ Forum for Social Justice.

According to petitioner, the TN Retail Vending (in shops and bars) Rules do not stipulate any distance rule prohibiting location of liquor shops in residential areas.

The Tasmac can locate retail vending shops next to a residential house unmindful of the disturbance it may cause to the families.

Hence, there should be some felters in locating the retail vending liquor shops/bars in the residential areas. The authorities do not consider any objections raised by the public of the area in locating the retail liquor shops and the liquor bar attached with that.

Any natural, spontaneous and public inspired agitation against the location of liquor shops or liquor bars was ruthlessly handled by the police as if the general public has committed grave crimes. In a democracy functioning under the principles of “Of the people, by the people and for the people” this kind of repression and registering criminal cases against the peaceful agitators was against the fundamental rights, Balu added.