TASMAC outlet temporarily shut down

The Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited (TASMAC) has temporarily shut down its liquor retail outlet at Vadagur hamlet near Orathanadu in Thanjavur district following public protest.

According to official sources, the outlet was opened on February 10 at Vadagur by the TASMAC administration. Subsequently, local people gathered on Thanjavur-Vettikadu road passing through their hamlet and staged a road roko demanding the closure of the shop at their hamlet.

Senior Revenue and Police officials rushed to the spot and tried to pacify the protesting villagers. The demonstrators pointed out that living environment in their region was badly hit following the opening of TASMAC wine retail outlets at Chellampatti, Kottai Theru and Poiyundarkottai a few years ago, as several young-aged persons fallen addict to consumption of alcohol following the opening of these three outlets.

Several protests were staged by the villagers which resulted in the closure of the above mentioned three shops. Such being the case, setting up of a new retail outlet at their hamlet, Vadagur villagers claimed, would only nullify their efforts to have a peaceful living environment, hence they demanded permanent closure of the newly set up wine retail outlet.

However, the Revenue and Police officials told the demonstrators that the shop would not commence its functions until the issue was sorted out. Stating that a ‘peace committee meeting’ would be held at the Orathanadu Taluk Office on February 11, the officials asked the demonstrators to withdraw their agitation and attend the meeting to register their protest.