Prohibition worries in Tamil Nadu

Chief minister M Karunanidhi’s remark that he was open to re-introducing prohibition has created ripples in the state. Liquor barons feel the proposed ‘dry policy’ is only a threat and not practical given the revenue of over Rs 12,500 crore the state earns per year from the industry.

All the same, political circles feel the CM might clamp a ban if he is serious about winning votes of lakhs of women who are cut up with the drinking habits of their husbands, which ruin their families.
Consumer activist Shobha Iyer feels it would certainly help women to an extent but how far it will benefit remains to be seen. She further noted that the ban was just a strategy by the ruling party to garner votes. “If the ban comes into effect, it would cause lot more confusion as people would find ways to bring liquor into the state. The prices would become dearer and there will be several other issues including law and order,” she noted.
Women Entrepreneurs Association of Tamil Nadu founder N Manimekalai said, “if such a policy is enforced it would be a blessing for society. Men who drink spend more than 50% of their salary on liquor. At times, income earned by women also goes for this. If the government is serious about prohibition, it should be implemented and regulated properly. People who violate the law should be punished or else it would be difficult to control alcohol consumers,” she added.
The question being asked is whether Mr Karunanidhi’s remark was meant to tame the liquor lobby, which influence political alliances in the state. Official circles are, anyway, busy analysing the revenue implications and possible ways to make up for revenue loss. They said liquor is a major financier of a number of schemes in the budget. The recession-proof industry helps the exchequer to rake in over Rs 12, 500 crore a year.
It was the AIADMK government which took over the retail liquor trade through Tasmac and DMK which returned to power in 2006 continued the system. But, in recent months, around 36,000 employees of Tasmac are demanding permanency and better service conditions. Their plan for an agitation is backed by AIADMK, PMK and Left parties, though the ruling DMK’s union, LPF, also represent a section of them.
An industrialist in Coimbatore having liquor interest said, “It is good if prohibition is introduced, but drinking cannot be stopped in the state. Today, the income has gone up for lower and middle income groups and drinking has become a habit. So, illicit liquor will only come into play and at the same time the state government will loose huge revenue, “he added.