Prolonged Strike by Tasmac Staff, Fleecing by Bars Devastate Nilgiris Tipplers

Ooty: The agony of tipplers in the Nilgiris came to the fore after the indefinite strike called by the Tasmac employees in the district forced the closure of its outlets for the fourth consecutive day. Adding to the plight, on Independence Day, a closed holiday, some private bars attached to the hotels allegedly sold booze by hiking the price manifold.

The 48 Tasmac outlets across the Nilgiris are shut since Friday as the employees are on strike demanding job regularisation, time-scale pay and against move to privatise liquor shops. The core demand is the regularisation of employees who have completed two decades of service in Tasmac outlets, implementation of pay scale on par with the state co-operative stores, horticulture farms and gardens and job security for the existing workers against proposed retail privatisation. The striking employees said that though the Tasmac liquor sales is a major source of commerce and revenue to the exchequer, the government is not considering the demands of the employees who work in hostile terrains.

Official sources said that 48 Tasmac outlets across the Nilgiris generate an income of around Rs 1.50 crore daily. Talks are being held with the employees to end the stalemate, sources added.

Meanwhile, the tipplers complained that taking advantage of the situation, private bars hiked the prices manifold as the concerned department officials and the anti-prohibition wing officials were doing a sloppy job. A vigilance department enquiry is warranted against the errant officials who are allegedly supporting the illegal sales through the bars in private holes, a consumer demanded.