No more liquor sales in Tamil Nadu

Last updated on February 13th, 2023 at 04:19 pm

Lockdown 3.0 announced on May 1,2020 included a foremost relaxation that the State Government can re-open the liquor shops that have been kept closed during the previous lockdowns. On the evening of May 4,2020 Tamil Nadu Government announced about re-opening the state running liquor shops called TASMAC, on May 7,2020. TN Govt also announced about the increase in excise duty for the liquor. The excise duty on Indian made and foreign liquor by 15% which means Rs 10 for normal brand and Rs 20 for premium brand per 180ml bottle.

Tamil Nadu Government regulated many rules about buying liquor from the TASMAC shops. Around 3700 TASMAC shops open today and this may vary according to the effect of corona pandemic in the respective regions of the state. TASMAC shops were opened all over the state and not in state’s capital Chennai due to worse effect of corona pandemic. Tamil Nadu liquor sales hit Rs 170 crore on the first day which is higher than other states which re-opened TASMAC shops on May 4,2020.

Inspite the liquor sales worth, Madras High Court by second day evening(May 8,2020) of TASMAC re-opening ordered about closure of TASMAC shops until the lockdown ends.

MoHA have announced about Lockdown 3.0 on May 1 and said that the lockdown will end on May 17,2020. Madras High Court ordered that, the TASMAC will remain closed until lockdown is lifted in the state. The Court considers that, people who came to buy liquor showed up in large numbers and they didn’ follow any rules stated by the TN Government before re-opening. But, the High Court have permitted for online liquor sales and home delivery which was initiated by Chhattisgarh from May 5,2020.

The Madras High Court passed the order after considering a batch of pleas from various people from Tamil Nadu. Actor and Politician Kamal Hassan‘s Makkal Needhi Mayyam foremost among the petitioners which alleged that the social distancing will be ruined by re-opening of TASMAC shops. These petitions were filed on May 4,2020 when the TN Government announced about re-opening of TASMAC.

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