Installation of CCTVs in Tasmac shops: Madras HC asks government to consider plea
Chennai: The Madras high court has directed the state government to consider a representation, which sought to install CCTV cameras in all Tasmac shops and bars in the state, inter connecting with the concerned higher officials.
Disposing of a Public Interest Litigation from K.Balu, President, Advocates Forum for Social Justice, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice M.Sundar said, in view of the recent order of the Supreme Court to remove the Tasmac shops on the National Highways, the state government may consider the representation dated November 23, 2016.
According to Balu, as on date, the state government was running 6,181 retail liquor shops and 3,076 bars were under the control of Tasmac.
There were lot of illegality going on inside and outside the Tasmac shops and bars unless these illegalities were prevented and controlled the people who were residing in the vicinity of the shops and bars could not lead a safe life. The Tasmac shops and bars were kept open beyond the stipulated functioning hours.
The customers coming to Tasmac shops were very young age particularly school going children. Some rowdy elements were also assembling and conspiring to do some notorious activities after the consumption of liquor, he added.
He said although Tasmac has taken measures like issuing circulars to Tasmac employees and providing a display board in the shops not to sell liquors to persons below 21 years of age to prevent the under aged persons consuming liquor, the media reports reveal that school going children were consuming liquor. Hence, in order to prevent the same and to have a check, the Tasmac may install internet connected centrally monitored CCTV system in each and every shop and bar to monitor the sale and consumption of liquor. Media reports also reveal most of the offenders who commit crime were under the influence of alcohol. If CCTV cameras were installed, it will help the police to identify the offenders through the recorded footage, he added.
