Tasmac outlets openly defy closure orders

IT is a Tasmac versus Tasmac battle that is raging on in the city with officials of the state owned marketing corporation that sells liquor, complaining against outlets that are defying closure orders.

Tasmac officials are now coming out with specific complaints against each liquor outlet in North division that were supposed to be shut.

Of the total 306 Tasmac outlets, 165 are located in the Northern region and the rest 145 in the South. All these outlets are auctioned by Tasmac every year, with base auction rate depending on sales of each outlet.

But, auctions could not take place in November 2015 as none of the private parties which run the outlets on behalf of the government and take a cut in profits applied for fresh tendering through auction process.

Repeated reminders due to political considerations and the outlets were forced to close in February. This has meant loss of revenue for Tasmac outlets, which officials estimate at around Rs 2 crore. Even if the base price is calculated at Rs 50,000 per outlet, the Tasmac can generate revenue in crores of rupees, sources said.

But, no such order was forthcoming and Tasmac officials sent circulars to all outlets to close down.

But, this order is observed more in its breach as several outlets remain open and business is as usual - in full swing at all outlets.

Now, faced with this open defiance, Tasmac officials have begun making individual complaints against all outlets.

A high ranking Tasmac official told the Covaipost "it is not possible for officials to inspect each outlet."

"We have been sending circulars and our pleas have fallen on deaf ears. It is time we sought police help to close the Tasmac shops that are defying the closure orders," the official said.

The senior official said only a handful (12) outlets in North division have satisfied the tender conditions and submitted a demand draft and complied with tender requirements.

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