Chennai, May 23: PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss on Saturday urged authorities to immediately implement the Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s order to close 717 liquor shops across the State.
After assuming office on May 10, the chief minister issued an order to close a total of 717 liquor outlets belonging to the state-owned TASMAC, within two weeks.
“Only 150 from the list of 717 liquor shops have been shut, and that officials concerned have halted the work on closing the remainder, is disappointing”, he alleged in a statement here.
He said the order came directly from the chief minister, and there is no justification for stopping or delaying closures.
“The democratically elected head of the government orders the closures, officials must carry out the order rather than delay it for unclear reasons”.
The PMK leader alleged that the “liquor lobby” is using its full influence to oppose the government’s decision to close the 717 outlets.
“Under pressure from that lobby, a petition was filed in the Madras High Court seeking to block the closures”, he said, adding “the court, however, dismissed the petition and commended the government’s decision.
Stating that the chief minister is acting with good intent to close liquor shops and eliminate illegal outlets, he said, “officials must support his aim, not obstruct it”.
