Tasmac bars go out of govt control; stay open without licence

Chennai: Giving two hoots to the Tamil Nadu govt orders to close Tasmac bars, as their licence has expired on June 30, almost all the bars functioned as usual, accommodating tipplers and serving snacks.

On Wednesday, the prohibition and excise minister K Vignesh had ordered their closure and issued a warning that those found drinking on roadside and public places would face stringent police action.On Thursday, during a random visit to bars across Chennai city, Chengalpet and Kancheepuram districts, TOI found that after a brief hesitation in the morning hours due to police restrictions, all bars operated as usual after 1pm.

Tasmac shops (No 678 and 986) in Saidapet, which have attached bars, had tipplers consuming liquor inside, and snack counters were open too. In Pammal, a Tasmac bar attached to shop No 4158 allowed tipplers to drink in both AC and non-AC facilities.

In Kundrathur of Kancheepuram district, snacks were prepared on the stove to serve customers fresh and hot. In Mogappair and Madipakkam too, Tasmac bars were seen allowing tipplers to consume liquor inside their premises.

Tasmac bar and building owners association Anbarasan, however, claimed that they received a confirmation from Tasmac headquarters that the licence period has been extended — contrary to Vignesh’s statement on Wednesday that the bars would not be opened until retender.Tasmac officials reiterated that there was no change in the govt’s stand on the closure of bars, and claimed that they inspected certain bar premises and closed them.

However, both the minister and Tasmac managing director K Nanthakumar were not available for their comments on Thursday.A Tasmac bar owner, on condition of anonymity, said they had been asked to wait till Monday. “We cannot close the shops for a few days, as the monthly licence fee would be collected in full without deducting the closure days. In Chennai, the licence fee for Tasmac bars is 1.8% of the monthly sales, which ranged from ₹1 to ₹4 lakh per month, depending upon the sales.During the previous DMK govt, Tasmac-attached bars operated without a valid licence for more than a year in Chennai and a few other districts from Aug 2022 and caused a huge loss to Tasmac. Only in 2023, the tenders were floated to issue fresh licences.