Open de-addiction centres and close shops: Tipplers Association

The response of the association comes in the wake of the announcement of the state government regarding closure of 500 more Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) outlets. 

P Chellapandian, state president, said “When the late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa ordered for closure of 500 liquor outlets in May, 2016, she announced that a large number of de-addiction centres will be opened. Not a single centre has been opened till date. Though, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palanisamy ordered the closure of 500 more liquor outlets, he did not mention anything about opening of de-addiction centre.” 

S Nallasamy, convener, Tamil Nadu Toddy Movement, says “We welcome the government’s decision. However, our long demand to permit toddy tapping and sell the toddy bottles should be met.” 

The government had so far closed 1,000 TASMAC outlets and it should consider reopening the same outlets, where sales of toddy bottles could be allowed. Former Union minister of PMK AK Moorthy, who claimed that PMK was the only party that has been fighting continuously for total prohibition, said, “the state has around 7,000 outlets and closing a mere 500 outlets is not enough.” 

The only solution to the liquor menace would be total prohibition. A city-based counsellor stressed for total prohibition. “Clamping down of liquor outlets will pave the way for youngsters to abstain from alcohol and even alcoholics can reform themselves,” the counsellor said. 

It may be noted that before the 2016 assembly elections, a majority of the parties used the prohibition promise to pull votes. The DMK, PWF and PMK, all promised total prohibition, if they were voted to power. However, AIADMK, in its election manifesto, said that the party would achieve total prohibition by closing liquor shops in a phased manner.