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The | Chennai |
Updated: May 8, 2020 11:34:21 AM
Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited (Tasmac) liquor stores opened long lines everywhere in Tamil Nadu except Chennai and the containment areas. (Source: ieTamil)
Faced with a steady increase in COVID-19 infections and a new set of cases linked to the state’s largest vegetable market in Koyambedu, the Tamil Nadu government opened statewide retail liquor stores on Thursday, a day later. to announce a 15 percent increase in excise taxes. Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) tax, in an attempt to tackle the deepening of the economic crisis. The total sale recorded on Thursday was approximately Rs 170 crore of liquor, or about 20 lakh liters.
Tamil Nadu reported 580 new positive cases on Thursday, bringing the total to 5,409.
Explained: Why are liquor sales important to states?
Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited (Tasmac) liquor stores opened long lines everywhere in Tamil Nadu except Chennai and the containment areas.
the #TASMAC obstacle course. When we are ready to do anything for that peg. pic.twitter.com/GjcjWw3F1w
– Nandagopal Rajan (@ nandu79) May 8, 2020
Despite restrictions, such as times for different age groups, physical distance regulations, and compulsory identification cards, queues of up to 1 km were seen in many places.
The Tirupur district administration made umbrellas mandatory for those who come to buy liquor in addition to following regulations such as the use of masks.
The Tirupur district administration made umbrellas mandatory for those who come to buy liquor in addition to following regulations such as the use of masks.
READ | Tamil Nadu: home isolation for asymptomatic cases, liquor stores to open
However, many public health experts fear that the decision will trigger a new wave of cases considering that it is mainly the socially vulnerable groups in the semi-urban and rural areas of the state who buy a large amount of Tasmac liquor products and make up the majority of their buyers.
A senior health official said physical distancing standards will be launched among drinkers at a time when many districts have begun reporting cases originating from the Koyambedu group. Against 92 cases reported on Sunday, the total number of people linked to the Koyambedu group as of Wednesday was 1,010.
The public health directorate has traced the origin of new outbreaks in the Cuddalore and Ariyalur districts to the workers who returned from the Koyambedu market in Chennai.
People queuing to buy liquor in Tamil Nadu. (Source: ieTamil)
The government should have waited a week or two before making the decision to open Tasmac stores. “The impact of this would be drastic in semi-urban and rural areas. Most of Tasmac’s clients come from the most disadvantaged backgrounds. Many of them have liver problems, compromised immunity, and are deprived of nutrition due to excessive alcohol intake over a longer period. All of them will be vulnerable to infection, “said the official, adding that this would have detrimental effects on many vulnerable families who were struggling with little savings since there was no income or work for more than a month.
The sale of state liquors also depends on the products consumed by these weaker sections; 80% of liquor consumption consists of brandy, and the most demanding volume on the market, 60%, is quarter bottles, compared to 30% half bottles and 10% full bottles on demand.
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