Ramadoss hits out at TN govt proposal to open AC bars

Chennai, Mar 2 (UNI) Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder leader Dr S Ramadoss today hit out at the ruling DMK government for its reported move to open air-conditioned bars in the retail Indian Made Foreign Liquor(IMFL) outlets in Tamil Nadu.

In a statement here, he said when the PMK-an ally of the DMK- was demanding downsizing the number of TASMAC liquor shops by half, it was shocking that the state government was proposing to open air conditioned bars in the retail outlets.

Urging the state government to drop the move, Dr Ramadoss said it should immediately reduce the number of retail outlets by half.

Unless the number of shops were reduced, it would not be possible to reduce the number of below poverty line people, he said.

Quoting a report that the government has issued urgent orders to open ''Hi-tech Bars'' in 300 outlets, across the state, Dr Ramadoss said it was distressing to note that the bars would be well furnished and waiters in uniforms would serve the liquor.

He said when the neighbouring states like Karnataka were moving towards achieving the numero uno position in industrial and IT development, Tamil Nadu was competing in opening more liquor shops and step up revenue through sale of liquor.

There was a time when people thought it was a sin to drink and whenever they resorted to driking they did it secretely. Gone were those days and now people consider it a privilege to have a drink at the government owned TASMAC liquor shops, the PMK leader charged.

On one hand, the state government was organising functions to preserve our art and culture but on the other, it was opening bars, leading to cultural degradation, Dr Ramadoss also regretted.

UNI