According to the Tamil Nadu state government order, the DMK government has granted a special license to allow liquor service in conference halls, convention centers, marriage halls, banquet halls, sports stadiums, and household functions.
Until now, licenses have only been issued to clubs and five-star hotels. Last month, the Home, Prohibition, and Excise Department issued a notification regarding the special license. According to the GO, “F.L.12 special license for possession of liquor and serving to the guests, visitors and participants in the international/national summits and events/conferences/celebrations/festivals, etc.”
The F.L.12 special license would be valid for one or more days. On payment of license fees, it would be issued by the Deputy Commissioner/Assistant Commissioner (Excise) with the Collector’s approval. This permit allows guests, visitors, and participants at international or national events to possess and serve liquor.
The DMK government’s GO has received criticism from all sections of the general public as well as opposition parties. BJP State President Annamalai slammed the DMK’s GO, saying, “This incompetent DMK government has brought an amendment to allow alcohol in places where people gather, including wedding halls and sports grounds. The DMK, which came to power by promising to close liquor factories and reduce the number of TASMAC shops, has been attempting to increase liquor sales by setting a target each year. We strongly condemn the DMK’s continued actions to increase sales in DMK-owned liquor factories, which will cause disorder in society, at a time when the state’s law and order are already a challenge to the public.”
கல்யாண மண்டபங்கள், விளையாட்டு மைதானங்கள் உள்ளிட்ட பொதுமக்கள் கூடும் இடங்களில், மதுவுக்கு அனுமதி வழங்கும் சட்டத் திருத்தம் கொண்டு வந்திருக்கிறது இந்த திறனற்ற திமுக அரசு.
மது ஆலைகளை மூடுவோம், மதுக்கடைகளின் எண்ணிக்கையைக் குறைப்போம் என்று கூறி ஆட்சிக்கு வந்த திமுக, (1/3) pic.twitter.com/U1cGVOud2P
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) April 24, 2023
Leader of Opposition in Tamil Nadu assembly Edappadi K Palanisamy said, “I strongly condemn the DMK government, which has kept liquor shops open for 12 hours after promising that alcohol prohibition is the only goal and has today allowed liquor to be consumed in marriage halls and sports grounds. This Dravida model government has ruined the youth’s future by making them addicted to alcohol. It is only a matter of time before the people teach this government a proper lesson for continuing to engage in such anti-people activities that disrupt public order and increase crime.”
மதுவிலக்கே ஒற்றை இலக்கு என கூறிவிட்டு 12 மணிநேரம் மதுக்கடைகளை திறந்து வைத்திருக்கும் இந்த திமுக அரசு, இன்று கல்யாண மண்டபத்திலும், விளையாட்டுத் திடல்களிலும், மதுபானம் அருந்தலாம் என அனுமதித்திருப்பதற்கு எனது கடும் கண்டனங்கள்.
மதுவுக்கு அடிமையாக்கி இளைஞர்களின் எதிர்காலத்தை… pic.twitter.com/VWwCDJlbRM— Edappadi K Palaniswami (@EPSTamilNadu) April 24, 2023
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