Times of India: Chennai: Friday,
May 13, 2016.
Cutting
across party lines, total prohibition has become a major issue in the ongoing
election campaign. Interestingly, the trend in the last three years shows that the
number of Tasmac bars in Chennai is already falling, though there has been a
marginal rise in the number of outlets.
An RTI
application filed by OnlineRTI.com has revealed that the number of Tasmac
outlets in the Chennai region, which includes Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur,
increased from 1,085 in 2011-12 to 1,095 in 2014-15. However, the number of
Tasmac shops with bars reduced from 887 in 2011-12 to 767 in 2014-2015. Of the
1,095 Tasmac shops in the Chennai region, only 328 do not have bars.
Many residents
say, more than outlets, it is Tasmac bars that are making life miserable for
them. A majority of Tasmac bars are operating out of dingy premises. Cigarette
butts, empty liquor bottles, and heaps of plastic cups are strewn all over.
Many didn't have toilets. Several drunks in the bars also pass lewd comments
and harass womenwhen they pass by.
K Thiruselvan
of Tasmac Workers Federation, affiliated to CITU, says most bars are owned
politicians. "We have been demanding that all Tasmac bars be closed down.
Most bars create a nuisance to the public but the politicians won't close them
because they are a main source of revenue for them.. Only those who have
influence in the ruling party will get a licence to run bars."He said most
bars are selling liquor and water packets above MRP. "Stoves are not to be
used in bars but cooking is done at most bars and authorities are turning a
blind eye to these violations."
One of the
reasons for the decline in the number of Tasmac bars in the last five years is
the opposition from residents in several neighbourhoods. But a Tasmac official
said the decline was because of poor response from contractors applying for
licences.
Tasmac
remains a cash cow for the government, with the revenue from liquor sales
increasing from 14,965.42 crore in 2010-11 to 24,164.95 crore in 2014-15.
However,
Tasmac refused to provide the list of outlets which have functional toilets and
also the number of complaints received on charging more than MRP under RTI Act.
It also refused to give the number of Tasmac employees suspended for selling
liquor more than MRP and the number of employees suspended for selling liquor
in the black market.
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