Minister says availability of TASMAC shops avoided the scenario

DINDIGUL

If there had been no TASMAC shops in the State, several people would have died after consuming illicit liquor, and women knew better the impact of illicit liquor, said Minister for Forests C. Srinivasan.

Distributing free two-wheelers to women beneficiaries at a function held here on Saturday night, the Minister said the condition of several families, which had alcoholic men as heads, was very pathetic now. Those men shelled out all the money they earned for buying liquor and failed to take care of their families. Youngsters did not know its full impact, he said, adding liquor consumption had been prevailing here for centuries.

“But we (the AIADMK government) were blamed for running TASMAC shops. We had already closed 500 shops across the State,” he added.

The State government had planned to distribute one lakh two-wheelers to working women this fiscal. A sum of ₹250 crore had been allocated for the purpose.

The government was according top priority to the welfare for women, especially uplift of rural women. Offering two-wheelers and increasing assistance for maternity care, marriage and for unemployed youth were some of the special schemes meant for women, he said.

Earlier, Mr. Srinivasan distributed two-wheelers to 144 women and marriage assistance worth ₹2.82 crore to 470 beneficiaries.