The State government has clarified to the Madras High Court that an amendment made to the Tamil Nadu Liquor (License and Permit) Rules, 1981 on March 18, does not permit possession of liquor in commercial places such as marriage halls and banquet halls and that it also does not allow serving liquor to guests during household celebrations, functions and parties.
In a counter affidavit filed before Chief Justice S.V. Gangapurwala and Justice P.D. Audikesavalu, the Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise D. Rathna said, the amendment only paves way for issuing licences to possess liquor in conference halls or convention centres (other than those in educational institutions) for serving it to guests of national or international events.
The counter, filed through Advocate General R. Shunmugasundaram, also stated that the special licence for possession and serving of liquor in the conference halls and convention centres would be issued either by the Deputy Commissioner or Assistant Commissioner of Excise, with the prior approval of the Collector, only for the duration of the event.
