Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), led by Anbumani Ramadoss, staged a demonstration at Kovilpatti on Monday demanding closure of Tasmac shops.
Spearheading the agitation, Dr. Ramadoss, MP and former Union Minister, said the State was plagued by incidents of crimes such as burglary, murder and rape owing to consumption of alcohol sold at Tasmac outletsMany women, who really suffered the brunt of it, were traumatised. Such situations even led to family break-ups. Alcohol was contributing to fatal accidents, he said.
Citing the ill-effects in liquor consumption, he said that it ruined lives and families.
Through sale of liquor from Tasmac shops, the State government was earning a revenue of around Rs. 36,000 crore every year, one-third of its total earning. It was shame that the government, which seldom bothered about the welfare of people, earned revenue from sale of liquor, he said, and demanded that the government implement prohibition at the earliest.
If the government failed to take any step, the PMK would launch an agitation to force closure of all Tasmac shops, he said, claiming credit for the removal of Tasmac liquor shops along National Highways.
Instead of offering freebies to the poor, the State government could provide free and quality education, health facilities, agriculture and promote employment.
Mr. Anbumani said it was ridiculous that the State government was citing lack of funds for not telecasting Assembly proceedings when it was spending a huge sum on publicising its achievements.
Anbumani blames liquor for rise in crime rate, atrocities committed on women
