CHENNAI: A man has filed Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition here seeking to install CCTV cameras at Tasmac outlets to curb menace and illegalities alleged to be committed at retail liquor outlets and bars. The petition filed by advocate K Balu, president of Advocates Forum for Social Justice came up for hearing on 10 January. When the matter came up for admission before the first bench of Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice M Sundar directed the authorities to consider the representation submitted to them on November 23. Balu in his petition has said that besides the 3,076 liquor bars attached with vending outlets, more than 3,000 illegal bars had been functioning in Tamil Nadu. In Tamil Nadu a total of 6,181 liquor shops are functioning, it said. In order to curb this menace the petitioner sough to install internet-linked CCTV cameras. Liquor is sold at a premium and either cheap drinks or plain water is mixed with bottled liquor by unscrupulous sales personnel, petition says. The PIL also mentions that a direction needs to be given to authorities that unless the licensed bars are able to maintain proper building, wash room, toilets and other hygiene requirements in the absence of which Tasmac need to be closed. ]]>
