Change India A Centre For v. Government Of Tamil Nadu

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 16.12.2015 CORAM :

The Hon'ble MR.SANJAY KISHAN KAUL, CHIEF JUSTICE AND The Hon'ble MRS.JUSTICE PUSHPA SATHYANARAYANA W.P. No.39550 of 2015 Change India a Centre for Research and Advocacy, Chennai Rep. By its Director, A.Narayanan.

.. Petitioner -vs1.Government of Tamilnadu, rep. By the Chief Secretary to Govt., Secretariat, Chennai.

2.The Principal Secretary to Govt., Home Prohibition and Excise Dept., Secretariat, Chennai.

3.The Managing Director, TASMAC Limited, 4th Floor, CMDA Tower-II, Egmore, Chennai.

.. Respondents Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for the issue of Writ of Mandamus to direct the respondents to suspend retail vending of TASMAC liquor for a reasonable period of 2 months in the rain and flood affected districts of Tamil Nadu on account of the calamity of severe nature.

For Petitioner :

Mr.A.Narayanan Party-in-person For Respondents :

Mr.S.T.S.Murthi, Govt. Pleader, assisted by Mr.V.Shanmuga Sundar, G.A.

For RR 1 and 2 :

Mr.S.Muthuraj, Stndg. Counsel for R-3

O R D E R

(Order of the Court was made by The Hon'ble Chief Justice) The issue raised by the petitioner was recently dealt with by us in W.P.No.39158 of 2015, i.e. calling for a temporary suspension of sale of liquor for a period of 2 to 3 months on account of the recent devastation in certain districts of Tamil Nadu. We had observed that this is a matter of policy for the Government to examine and had closed the writ petition in those terms.

2.The petitioner, appearing in person, submits that his apprehension is that the succor which will be provided to the affected people may be dissipated in consumption of liquor rather than rehabilitation. On our query as to what could be the methodology to ensure that such a thing does not happen, one of the suggestions which emanated was that possibly the amount should be released to the woman in the house rather than to the man.

3.We may note that the petitioner with the typed set of documents has filed a research study published in 2006 in 'Alcoholism- before and after tsunami' and in view thereof, has submitted a representation dated 08.12.2015 to the first respondent. This representation can, thus, be examined in terms of the research study or any other material.

4.The aforesaid matter being a policy decision, the State Government would look into the matter.

5.Writ Petition, accordingly, stands disposed of. No costs. Sd/- Assistant Registrar(CS VII) //True Copy// Sub Assistant Registrar sra

To 1.The Chief Secretary , Government of Tamilnadu, Secretariat, Chennai.

2.The Principal Secretary to Govt., Home Prohibition and Excise Dept., Secretariat, Chennai.

3.The Managing Director, TASMAC Limited, 4th Floor, CMDA Tower-II, Egmore, Chennai.

+ 1 cc to the Government Pleader Sr.68164 W.P.No.39550 of 2015 GR(CO) EU 8.1.16