Chennai: The public welcomed the “baby step” of the state government towards total prohibition in opening Tasmac shops at noon from Tuesday, as against the earlier timing of 10 am.
Activists demanded of the government to come out with a blueprint on introducing complete prohibition. Besides the change in timings, 500 shops in the state were closed down. This prompted the Tasmac union to demand a plan for alternative employment for workers who would lose their jobs because of the government’s decision.
Tasmac employees said the government would incur a loss of Rs 1 crore per day due to shops opening two hours late. “Sales between 10 am and noon account for five to 10 per cent of the total sales,” they said.
Admitting there have been demands from various quarter to shut shops that are located close to temples and schools, president of Tasmac Employees Union D. Danasekaran told Deccan Chronicle that the government should clarify on how it intends to provide employment to workers of 500 shops who would be rendered
jobless.
“Nearly 1,700 people are working in these shops and the government should ensure they get jobs according to their educational qualification. This is our major demand to the government,” he said.
Siva Elango of Satta Panchayat Iyakkam, which has been campaigning for a liqour-free state, welcomed the move by the government, but the government should make it clear as to how it proposes to implement total prohibition.
“We welcome the move. This is just the baby step. The government has to do more to ensure that complete prohibition is brought in the state. We want the government to come out with a liqour policy specifying the deadline for implementing prohibition,” he said.
Since the state government runs the liquor shops, the outlets should function only during office hours and should be closed on government holidays, Elango said adding the government should also clarify how it proposes to rehabilitate liquor addicts.
Vinod of Makkal Athikaram says the government should ensure that complete prohibition is implemented. “Till then, we can’t be sure. Only total prohibition can stop this menace. Till then, we will keep fighting,” he said.
Women were of the opinion that the government should reduce the working hours of Tasmac shops during evening hours as sales picked up only during that time.
“It is a welcome move and I feel more people will be happy about it. I think if the government reduces the shops’ working hours at night, it would help much better to wean people away from alcohol,” Elango, a city shopkeeper, said.
