Chennai: Nearly 100 residents of Arihant Majestic Towers at Koyambedu protested for the removal of a Tasmac outlet located right next to their premises on Saturday.
“The Tasmac shop was closed after Supreme Court's order. However, it reopened after the state government obtained ordinance and said the outlets can function on city roads. But now, the liquor shop is being expanded and is touching the wall of our flats. Moreover, they are planning on constructing an additional floor to run an open bar,”rued N. Thiru, president, Arihant Majestic Towers Flat Owners Association.
The flats were constructed nearly 17 years ago and it houses 312 families. The residents said they have been facing the issue for nearly four years and the construction of an additional floor added to their woes of tippler menace.
One of the residents said, “An ATM is located right next to the Tasmac shop. The tipplers already high after a couple of drinks and “badly in need” of money for their next drink could snatch the purse of somebody coming out of the ATM or even opt for extreme measures.”
Members of residents association have requested Chennai corporation and CMDA to intervene at the initial stage by demolishing the construction. CMDA had directed the Chennai corporation to take enforcement action on constructions, they said.
When contacted, D. Dhanasekaran, general secretary of the AITUC-affiliated Tamil Nadu TASMAC Employees’ Union said there is no law prohibiting the construction of TASMAC outlets near residential complexes.
