Madurai/Trichy: While welcoming the Tamil Nadu government's decision to close Tasmac outlets within a 500-meter radius of worship sites, educational institutions, and bus stations, the CITU Tasmac Employees Union has also sought action on a set of demands, including alternative employment for staff affected by shop closures.
Protest in Mayiladuthurai
In Mayiladuthurai district on Tuesday, employees shut down all 43 Tasmac liquor shops in protest after police registered a case against two staff members for allegedly collecting an extra Rs 10 per bottle. The protest was sparked by a complaint lodged by a TVK functionary, who alleged that staff at a Tasmac shop near Sattanathapuram in Sirkazhi were overcharging customers. Based on the complaint, police registered a case against shop supervisor Kamaraj and salesman Babu.
Condemning the police action without any departmental inquiry, Tasmac workers boycotted their duties. More than a hundred employees signed and submitted a petition at the Mayiladuthurai collectorate. They stated that they can sell liquor at the maximum retail price and sought police protection for shops and withdrawal of cases registered against the two employees. Other demands include the immediate appointment of four additional staff for shops with high turnover, the administration's support to pay rent to building owners for the shops, and the appointment of workers for collecting empty bottles with proper wages.
Representation to Madurai Collector
CITU union's president D Sivakumar submitted a representation to Madurai district collector K J Praveen Kumar regarding the demands on Tuesday. He highlighted the impact of shop closures on employment. "The administration has been taking steps to permanently close 38 liquor stores in Madurai south district and 13 in Madurai north district. In Madurai south, 13 of the 38 stores were closed already, making 17 supervisors, 42 salespeople, and five assistant salespeople lose their jobs. Employees from temporarily closed stores due to various administrative reasons, including 17 supervisors, 22 salespeople, and one assistant salesperson, were also impacted. In Madurai north, three of the 13 shops were closed, affecting six supervisors and seven salespeople," Sivakumar said.
Key Demands
- Jobs for employees who lost their livelihood in other government departments based on their educational qualifications.
- Action to close private FL2 bars operating within a 500-meter radius of public institutions.
- The administration to bear the costs of loading, unloading, and transportation for transferring stock from permanently closed liquor stores to warehouses.
- Withdrawal of the case registered against the two employees in Mayiladuthurai and police protection for shops.
- Immediate appointment of additional staff for high-turnover shops and support for rent payments.
- Appointment of workers for collecting empty bottles with proper wages.
The union's demands reflect the concerns of employees facing job losses due to the government's policy of closing liquor shops near sensitive locations. The CITU union has urged the administration to address these issues promptly to ensure the welfare of the affected workers.
