Tamil Nadu moves Supreme Court for opening TASMAC outlets

Following the Madras High Court’s order to close the TASMAC outlets in view of the escalating COVID-19 scenario, the Tamil Nadu government on Saturday (May 9) moved the Supreme Court against the directive.

In its appeal, the state said that opening liquor shops is a policy decision and that the courts have no right to interfere.

rejecting the charge that social distancing was not followed at the outlets, the government asserted that “The social distancing was followed while selling the liquors.”

Meanwhile, various organisations including Makkal Adhigaram too filed a caveat in the Apex Court over the same issue.

It is interesting to note that on May 7, the Madras High Court had refused to stay the government’s decision of opening TASMAC while hearing a PIL.

Related news: Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut takes a dig at govt, likens liquor hysteria to funeral

However, it had said that liquors must be sold twice a week with a gap of three days and the bills should carry the Aadhaar details of the buyer.

“It was a policy matter of the government and we cannot prohibit reopening of TASMAC,” the Court said.

On May 8, while hearing a petition from advocate G Rajesh and other miscellaneous petitions including, Makkal Needhi Maiam, the Madras High Court had ordered the shutting down of the TASMAC outlets immediately.

However, it permitted selling liquor online.

Related news: COVID-19 cases cross 6,000-mark in TN, HC orders closure of liquor shops

The appeal was made in the Top Court ignoring the call of several political leaders in the state who pleaded for the implementation of the Madras High Court order.