Tag Archives: Tamil Nadu news

59 dead in Tamil Nadu hooch tragedy

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At least 59 people have died so far and another 156 persons have been hospitalised after consuming illicit liquor in Tamil Nadu’s Kallakurichi district. As per reports, illicit liquor called ‘packet arrack’ was consumed by these people.

The police said bootleggers were selling ‘packet arrack’ and they have been arrested on charges of selling illicit arrack. The Police also seized over 200 litres of ‘packet arrack’. Samples tested at a forensic laboratory in Villupuram were found to have the poisonous methanol. Several people from Kallakurichi and neighbouring areas had consumed illicit arrack sold by bootleggers at Karunapuram. On reaching home, most of them complained of giddiness, headache, vomiting, nausea, stomach pain and irritation in the eyes. They were admitted to hospitals in  Kallakurichi, Villupuram, Salem and Puducherry.

Meanwhile, the DMK government headed by Chief Minister, M.K.Stalin has shunted out the District Collector and suspended the Superintendent of Police. The government has ordered a probe by the CB-CID of Tamil Nadu police under the charge of Superintendent of Police Shantharam.  As per government reports,  seven people including a bootlegger by name K.Govindaraj alias Kannukutti, have been arrested.

The Tamil Nadu government has also announced a judicial inquiry headed by retired judge of Madras high court, Justice B Gokuldas. The National Human Rights Commission has issued notices to the Tamil Nadu Government and the Director General of Police seeking a full report on the tragedy.

Not satisfied with this, the AIADMK has demanded an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and its legislators in the Tamil Nadu Assembly have disturbed the proceedings in Assembly, leading to the Speaker suspending them for a day.  

The Madras High Court also had pulled up the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led Tamil Nadu government over the tragedy, citing similar incidents in Villupuram and Chengalpattu districts last year. The court demanded to know why such instances were repeatedly occurring in the state. A Division Bench of Justices D Krishnakumar and K Kumaresh Babu was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the AIADMK legal wing secretary I S Inbadurai. In his petition, he sought a CBI probe.

The Chief minister MK Stalin who has held several meetings with officials has expressed pain and shock and has announced Rs. 10 lakh as ex gratia to the next of kin, while those hospitalised will receive Rs. 5000. The government will also take care of the educational expenses and hostel fees of the children until the age of 18 of those who have lost either one or both parents in the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy.

Court orders closure of two Tasmac outlets

Meanwhile, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court ordered the immediate closure of two Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac) outlets on Boothipuram Road near Palanichettipatti. It directed the Theni collector to inquire into the allegation of authorities failing to control the illegal sale of liquor.

A division Bench of Justices R Suresh Kumar and G Arul Murugan, while hearing the PIL petition filed by U Aajik Arabukani from Palanichettipatti, directed the Tasmac manager and the Theni Superintendent of Police to assist the collector in the inquiry and file a report.

The court said that the documents and electronic evidence produced by the petitioner disclosed several irregularities in the functioning of Tasmac shop numbers 8576 and 8516. The court observed that a “cartel” arrangement seems to be going on between the supervisors, staff at the Tasmac shops, bar owners and others in the locality. In spite of filing 17 FIRs with the Palanichettipatti police, no effective action has been taken by Tasmac authorities or the police, which is the reason behind the agony of the residents, observed the court.

The court reprimanded the counsel, who appeared for the Tasmac district manager, one of the respondents in the case, for seeking more time to inquire into the matter. “It is not an isolated incident as it has been going on for the last few months. The first FIR had been registered on January 7, 2024, and 17 FIRs have been registered since then. The manager cannot make lame excuses.” Meanwhile, the state-run liquor retailer Tasmac said 500 retail shops selling alcoholic beverages will be closed down in Tamil Nadu, implementing a Government Order (GO) issued earlier for their closure. Out of the 5,329 retail liquor outlets across the state (as on March 31, 2023), 500 shops would be identified and closed down.

Tamil Nadu Increases Liquor Prices

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The Tamil Nadu government has increased excise duty on alcohol. Accordingly, the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) has increased liquor prices from February 1, 2024. The corporation said the price of 180 ml of regular and medium-quality liquor has been increased by ₹10; premium quality liquor by ₹20 and 650ml beer by ₹10.

Tamil Nadu has been earning sizable revenues from liquor sales. In the previous financial year (2022- 23) the revenues were ₹44,098.56 crore, up from ₹36,050 crore in 2021-22. During 2022-2023, the revenue earned by the government through special fee on imported foreign liquor was ₹44.79 crore and the revenue earned by TASMAC from service charge alone was ₹12.23 lakh.

Planning to shut 500 shops

The previous Tamil Nadu Minister for Prohibition and Excise V Senthil Balaji, during the demands for grants for his department in the Assembly last year said that of the total 5,329 retail liquor shops run by TASMAC, the government has decided to shut down 500 shops this year.

Dysfunctional automatic vending machines

While wanting to shut some shops, TASMAC last year introduced automatic liquor dispensing machines in five places in Chennai, to help curb some TASMAC outlets overcharging customers. Automatic vending machines were introduced on a pilot basis, charging as per MRP. However, tipplers in Chennai were dejected as the machines either were empty or dysfunctional. In April last, vending machines were installed in imported liquor shops located in five malls in the city – VR Mall in Anna Nagar, Phoenix Market City in Velachery, Forum Vijaya Mall in Vadapalani, Express Avenue in Royapettah, Ampa Skywalk in Aminjikarai.

Exploring 90ml tetra packs

Similarly, the government is exploring the possibility of opening TASMAC outlets early after requests from workers who wanted them open between 7 am and 9 pm. The current timings are from noon to 10 pm. The Minister for Excise and Prohibition, S. Muthusamy has mentioned that TASMAC is also exploring introducing 90 ml tetra packs. The Minister said the decision to sell liquor in cartons as opposed to glass bottles was being taken because glass bottles are thrown on streets and farmlands, causing an inconvenience. He said that “to prevent this, the government is planning to introduce 90 ml tetra packs as they can be used just once. We studied how it is done in other states.”

Tasmac is a state-run company, which oversees wholesale and retail sales of alcoholic beverages in Tamil Nadu. It was established in 1983 by the then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister late M.G. Ramachandran. It is incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956 on May 23, 1983.

TASMAC is vested with the exclusive privilege of wholesale supply of IMFL for the whole State of Tamil Nadu as per Section 17 (C) (1-A) (a) of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition Act, 1937 (Tamil Nadu Act X of 1937). It has taken over the wholesale distribution of Indian Made Foreign Liquor from the Private Sector in the whole state of Tamil Nadu during May 1983. The exclusive privilege of Retail Vending of IMFS was granted to TASMAC under Sec.17 (C) (1-B) of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition Act, 1937. TASMAC is doing the retail business also successfully with effect from 29.11.2003.

TASMAC procures IMFS and beer stocks locally from 11 IMFS manufacturers and 7 Beer manufacturers in the State. It also procures wine locally from one manufacturer. It also procures Scotch, whisky and few wine brands from other states. TASMAC also engages in retail sale of Foreign Liquor.

Distribution of IMFS and beer items to the licensees are being done through the 43 depots of TASMAC located throughout the State. The distilleries are – Enrica Enterprises, Chennai; Mohan Breweries & Distilleries, Chennai; Shiva Distilleries, Coimbatore; Empee Distilleries, Kancheepuram; Southern Agrifurane industries, Villupuram; Midas Golden Distilleries, Kancheepuram; Accord Breweries and Distilleries, Kancheepuram; SNJ Distilleries, Madurantagam; Kals Distilleries, Pudukottai; Golden Vats, Tiruvarur; and Kals Beverages, Coimbatore.

The breweries supplying are – United Breweries, Thiruvallur; Mohan Breweries, Chennai; United Breweries, Thiruvallur; SNJ Breweries, Madurantagam; Kals Breweries, Pudukkottai; Apollo Distilleries, Thiruvallur; and Accord Breweries, Kancheepuram.

– R. Chandrakanth