A public interest litigation petition has been filed in the Madras High Court to declare illegal and unconstitutional an amendment made to the Tamil Nadu Liquor (License and permit) Rules, 1981 on March 18 for issuing special licences to serve liquor to guests during household celebrations, functions and parties, and certain events organised on commercial premises such as conference halls, convention centres, marriage halls, banquet halls and sports stadiums.
Advocates Forum for Social Justice president K. Balu filed the case on the ground that the law-enforcing agency would find it difficult to control the nuisance caused by those who consume liquor if special licences were issued for serving liquor on public and private premises. He urged the court to stay the operation of the amendment till a final decision is made on his plea for a writ of declaration after granting an opportunity to the government to file its counter-affidavit.
In his affidavit, the petitioner claimed that Tamil Nadu was an alcohol-free State till 1971. However, from 2003, the State government began enjoying a monopoly over wholesale as well as retail business of liquor through the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac). “The police, tasked with maintaining law and order, do not raise even a whimper of a protest when Tasmac establishes liquor shops and bars even in residential localities,” he complained.
