Political parties cheer shutting down of 500 liquor shops in Tamil Nadu

CHENNAI: Political parties in Tamil Nadu on Monday welcomed the AIADMK government’s move to close down 500 Tasmac shops and reduce the timing of liquor shops, but wanted the administration to take more steps to ensure that total prohibition is implemented.

PMK founder S. Ramadoss said it was a welcome move that the government has decided to close down 500 Tasmac shops across the State. “It would have been better if the government had reduced the timing of Tasmac outlets in the evening instead of reducing it in the morning. Statistics shows 90 per cent of sales take place between 5 pm and 10 pm,” he said in a statement.

He said the government should ensure that total prohibition is implemented soon in the state. BJP state president Tamilisai Soundararajan said though the initial steps were welcome, the party would wait for the government to close down all liqour shops thereby implementing complete prohibition.

Tamil Nadu AITUC Tasmac employees association president N. Periyasamy welcomed the move, but demanded that the state government provide employment to those working in the 500 shops to be shut down based on their educational qualification. Another association, Doctors for Social Equality, said the government should close Tasmac shops by 9 pm and shut those located on highways and close to temples and schools.

VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan welcomed the government’s move to waive farm loans and demanded that the administration write off loans taken by farmers from nationalised banks also. He also wanted the state government to waive educational loans of students who have not been employed even after graduation.