TN hotels, bars await final govt order to reopen despite SC clarification on highway rule

A hotelier said that liquor is provided by government and they cannot open the bars until government grants permission.
TN hotels, bars await final govt order to reopen despite SC clarification on highway rule
TN hotels, bars await final govt order to reopen despite SC clarification on highway rule
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Although the Supreme Court has clarified that ban on sale of liquor within 500m of highways is not applicable within municipal limits, hotels and pub owners in Tamil Nadu are awaiting a final government order before deciding to reopen.  

A managing director of a hotel in Guindy told The Hindu that neighbouring states have already opened their hotels and bars within municipal limits. 

If the government issues an order then it will be business as usual for them. 

He also added that sales had gone down by 40% in Food and Beverages sale and 20% in room bookings. 

Another hotelier also said that liquor is provided by government and they cannot open the bars until government grants permission.

Two senior government officials said that they are working on a priority basis and have sought advice from Advocate General, reported The Hindu.

Vijaykumar, Tamil Nadu Bar and Club Owners Association told TNM, "About 760 bars in Tamil Nadu were shut after the Supreme Court order in April. Because of this new order, about 540 bars are under the city limit and will be able to re-open. The bars have faced a loss of Rs 500 to 600 crores because of the closure."

After the Supreme Court’s order in April, about 3320 TASMAC shops were shut across Tamil Nadu. 

TNM had reported that despite closure of TASMAC shops, profits from these shops had actually gone up. 

According to data released by the Minister for Electricity, Prohibition and Excise revenue- liquor sales till May this fiscal year has surpassed the previous year’s by a whopping Rs.1,149 crore. 

While the total revenue from sale of liquor came up to Rs.25,845 crore between 2015 and 2016, the succeeding year has seen revenue rise to Rs.26,995 crore (till May).

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