In a major decision, the Madras High Court has directed Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac) to close down all the “so-called bars” attached to the retail liquor shops, spread across the State, within six months. The court held that purchasers of liquor from the retail shops can consume it only at the recesses of their homes or in any other private space.
Justice C. Saravanan said, the Tamil Nadu Prohibition Act of 1937 does not permit Tasmac to encourage consumption of liquor in places adjoining the liquor shops by granting licence to private individuals to sell snacks and collect empty bottles. He said Tasmac has no legal control over these “bars” because they were leased by the private licensees.
