Nearly 50 Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac) outlets in municipal limits have been shut in Coimbatore following the recent directive from Madras High Court to adhere to Supreme Court order on closing down liquor shops along the highways. Bars attached to these liquor shops have also been closed.
Sources in Tasmac said that 36 of the 143 liquor outlets in Coimbatore North and 13 of the 102 outlets in Coimbatore south were closed following the court order.
Tasmac officials and the police are accused of not curbing illegal sale of liquor. Apart from clearing the stocks, those who were running closed outlets and bars are also accused of sourcing and selling liquor from other shops.
John Antony, State vice-secretary of Tasmac Oozhiyargal Sangam said that the State Government should declare a liquor policy and standardise the number of liquor shops. He wanted the government to ensure job security for the employees.
“State wide, around 6,000 people have lost their work following the closure of liquor shops. In Coimbatore, around 300 people have lost jobs,” said Mr. Antony.
