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ARE TASMAC LIQUOR SHOPS IN TAMIL NADU NECESSARY EVIL OR AVOIDABLE EVIL
WHAT CITIZENS THINK ?
Dear Sir,
Nandini
Voice For The Deprived organised an essay competition on “ Are TASMAC shops in
Tamil Nadu necessary evil or avoidable evil ?”
There
was good response for the competition from the citizens all over Tamil
Nadu.
The
following five persons were awarded
prize in the competition.
*
Ms.Manimekalai Ganesan, Chennai
*
Mr.J.Vigneshkumar, Sivakasi
*
Mr.S.Shanmugasundaram, Minnampalli, Karur District
*
Mr.K.Veerasathya Ramaswami, Chinnamannur, Theni District
*
Mr.Atul Alexander, Chennai
It
is clearly evident that there is considerable anger and frustration amongst the
people that Government of Tamil Nadu is promoting the sale of liquor through TASMAC
shops, unmindful of the serious harm that is now being done to the social
fabric of the state and which is disturbing the family harmony and discipline
amongst the youth.
There
is overwhelming view that TASMAC shops in Tamil Nadu are avoidable evil and the
Tamil Nadu government is entirely responsible for permitting this evil.
Highlights
of the views of the participants are
given in this article.
Concern of the parents
Many
parents have expressed deep anguish that the liquor culture is fast spreading
in Tamil Nadu amongst the young students. Several parents said that they are
helplessly watching their sons who are students, taking to liquor habit.
They
say that they are unable to discipline their sons and daughters, as the
government itself has provided the sanction of the law for liquor consumption
and the government itself is selling liquor. Drinking liquor is no more an
illegal activity and several students consume liquor freely , particularly
those staying in hostels.
Loss of reputation for Tamil Nadu
The
state of Tamil Nadu is now being derisively described as “Land of TASMAC” as Tamil Nadu has the highest liquor
consumption and sale in the country.
As
government of Tamil Nadu itself actively promotes the liquor sale by opening TASMAC
shops in every nook and corner of the state and opening liquor shops in the
malls to cater to the requirement of the rich, Tamil Nadu has lost the
reputation as a state upholding traditional values and protecting the family culture
as well as ensuring discipline amongst citizens.
Mr. C.N.Annadurai would not have done this
Recognising
the fact that prohibition was lifted and liquor consumption was actively promoted
in Tamil Nadu only by dravidian parties (DMK
& ADMK ), many have said that Mr.C.N.Annadurai, (popularly known as
Anna) would not have lifted prohibition and opened TASMAC shops.
When
he became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in 1967, he clearly said that he was
against this evil. During a debate in the Assembly, one member stated that
toddy was good for health and atleast toddy may be allowed in the state. In
reply, Mr.C.N.Annadurai suggested to the member to bring a medical report proving that toddy was good
for health and then he would consider the member’s suggestion. But, no one
produced such medical report.
Tamil Nadu government has no respect for the views of Tiruvalluvar,
Gandhiji , Periyar and Anna
The
great saint Tiruvalluvar has stressed the importance of avoiding liquor
consumption under the chapter “Kallunnamai”
Mahatma
Gandhi said very strongly that if he were to be the dictator for one day, he
would have closed down all the liquor shops in one stroke. Mr.C.N.Annadurai repeatedly stressed the need
for avoiding liquor consumption.
Periyar (Mr.E.V.Ramaswamy )
advocated prohibition.
The
dravidian parties in Tamil Nadu who swear by the name of Periyar and Anna have
ignored the advice of these great sons
of Tamil Nadu. Obviously, the ministers in the Tamil Nadu government do not show the respect that these leaders
deserve, apart from garlanding their statues on their birthdays and death
anniversaries and posing for the
photographs.
Why
not the Tamil Nadu government remove the photographs of Gandhiji , Periyar and
Anna from the government offices and secretariat, since it is acting in a way
totally contradictory to their preachings?
Sex crimes, violence, murders and accidents :
The
widespread liquor consumption in the state has directly contributed to the
rapid increase of murders, assault on women, sex crimes and road accidents.
Not
a day passes without drunken men beating their wives and indulging in violence and murders. The
entire social fabric of the state has undergone a deep change for the worst.
The
disturbing and nauseating news of drunken teachers molesting the girl students,
drunken father mis behaving with his daughters and drunken men causing
accidents and killing the innocent passers by on the roads have become too
frequent.
With
the liquor consumption increasing in the state at alarming level of around 20 percent per annum, Tamil Nadu’s future itself has
become a question mark.
Reflection on lack of will of Tamil Nadu government and show of
incompetence
The
Tamil Nadu government gives the false excuse that it is running TASMAC shops
only to avoid illicit liquor. Nobody buys this explanation in the state today.
It
is obvious that the Tamil Nadu government lacks the will to enforce prohibition
and does not care about the serious adverse impact and sufferings caused to the
people, particularly women and children in the lower income group.
Obviously,
Tamil Nadu government is concerned only about the huge liquor income that
enable it to continue with the freebies schemes, that help it to buy peace with
the poor people and keep the vote bank in tact.
By
better governance and launching of productive and forward looking projects and
promoting economic and industrial growth in the real sense of the term, the
government’s income by way of taxes can go multifold. Liquor income is not
necessary.
But,
to do this , competent and efficient governance is necessary.
KINDLY
ACKNOWLEDGE THE RECEIPT AND LET US KNOW YOUR VIEWS. IF YOU SO DESIRE ,
YOU CAN KINDLY FORWARD IT TO CONCERNED FELLOW CITIZENS.
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