Chennai: PMK Leader Anbumani Ramadoss on Saturday asked the authorities to immediately implement Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s order to close 717 liquor shops across the state.
After assuming office on May 10, the prime minister issued an order to close down a total of 717 liquor outlets belonging to the state-owned TASMAC within two weeks.
“Only 150 of the list of 717 pubs have been closed and that the concerned officials have stopped the work to close the rest, it is disappointing”, he said in a statement here.
He said the order came directly from the prime minister and there is no justification for stopping or delaying the closures.
“Democratically elected head of government orders closures, officials should implement the order instead of delaying it for unclear reasons.”
The head of the PMK claimed that the “liquor lobby” is using its full influence to oppose the government’s decision to close 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 hailed the government’s decision.
Stating that the prime minister is acting in good faith to close down liquor shops and eliminate illegal outlets, he said “officials should support his cause, not hinder it”.
