Prohibition Amendment Bill introduced in TN Assembly

Chennai, May 10 (UNI) A Bill, seeking to amend the Tamil Nadu Prohibition Act, 1937, making it in conformity with the World Trade Organisation (WT0), was introduced in the State Assembly today.

The Centre, since 2001, had been requesting the State Government to bring relevant amendments to the Act to make it in conformity with the WTO, the statement of objects and reasons of the Bill, introduced by Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, said.

It said the Centre, again in 2005, had insisted upon bringing in the required amendments to the said Act to avoid any retaliatory action on exports from India or on other economic relations by the affected trading partners.

''Exports from our State to European countries, comprising mainly hosiery and leather goods, may get affected, if such retaliatory actions are taken by the affected trading partners,'' it said.

In November last, the Centre had again pointed out that the present restriction could not be sustained in case it was taken to the WTO under dispute settlement mechanism.

The centre had also requested the State to examine the issue on an urgent basis and take action to rectify the situation.

UNI