tasmac
However, it is open to Tamil Nadu govt to take an appropriate decision in accordance with law, the court said. Chennai: Madras high court has categorically held that closure of a Tasmac shop located beyond the distance prescribed by law cannot be ordered by the court. Justice Hemanth Chandangoudar passed the order while disposing of a plea moved by T S Sridhar who wanted the court to direct Tasmac administration to close its shops at Sukurama Street, Parrys, Post Office Street, Prakasam Salai, Broadway (Near Mannady Metro), Jaffar Sarang Lane, opposite to Harbour and Wall Tax Road.
To this, Raveendhern said the policy decision is irrational since govt says that only 717 shops identified by it violate the norm of 500m, which has not been notified, and other shops in the state which are actually within 500m norm are not chosen for closure.
The petitioner, represented by his counsel R S Raveendhren, said on the basis of govt’s policy decision to close retail liquor outlets situated within 500m of places of worship and educational institutions, he submitted a representation seeking closure of the Tasmac outlets in question. Opposing the plea, Tasmac said the outlets in question are beyond the prescribed distance from the places of worship and educational institutions. “Since the outlets are within the limits of a municipal corporation, the restriction under Rule 8(1) of the Tamil Nadu Liquor Retail Vending (in Shops and Bars) Rules, 2003, is not applicable,” he said. Recording the submissions, the court said, “A division bench of this court has rejected a similar prayer, holding that no mandamus could be issued for closure of a Tasmac outlet when the outlet was situated beyond the prohibited distance prescribed under the applicable rules. The bench further said that if the govt decides to change or revisit its policy, it is open to the govt to take an appropriate decision, the judge said, and disposed of the plea.