Liquor ‘essential commodity’ for Chennai citizens, can’t close shops for Kalam’s funeral

While the entire world is mourning the death of APJ Abdul Kalam, former Indian president, Madras High Court refused to close liquor shops in the state citing that it is an ‘essential commodity’.

As reported by Times of India, Madras HC, on Wednesday said that like fire, milk and police, liquor too is an essential commodity for around 30% people in the state, and thus, the state government can’t give orders to close the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC)-run retail liquor shops on Thursday, during the funeral ceremony of former President APJ Abdul Kalam.

Justice C S Karnan, who has been fetching media attention for all the wrong reasons, has sparked another controversy yet again. The HC judge has said, "In five star hotels, liquor is served from 5am to 11pm. When people in five star hotels can drink, why not these people."
The announcement came when advocate K Baalu of the Advocates Forum for Social Justice asked the court to order closure of all TASMAC shops in the state on Thursday when Kalam was scheduled to be laid to rest at Rameswaram in Ramanathapuram district.

Baalu, referring to the state notification declaring a public holiday for all government and private establishments in Tamil Nadu under the provisions of the Negotiable Instruments Act on Thursday demanded a day’s leave for all the 28,000 TASMAC employees.

The state council, however, had already declared a leave of two-day –July 29 and 30 - for all TASMAC employees and has informed the court about it.

The judge, however, informed that he has great respect for Kalam and that he himself was leaving for Rameswaram immediately to take part in the funeral.

He also said that the courts could not direct the government to close the shops across the state without hearing the top officials of the concerned department.

"We have to appreciate the policy of the government in declaring holiday, and closing liquor shops for two days in Ramanathapuram district. But the court cannot interfere with the government's revenue," Justice Karnan further added.

Image: indiatimes