Chennai: A case has been filed in the Madras High Court opposing the plan to take back empty liquor bottles.
In this regard, Madurai M. Jayaganesh, secretary of the Tamil Nadu Entertainment Clubs and Star Hotels Association, which has obtained FL2 and FL3 liquor sales licenses, has filed a petition in the Madras High Court stating the following: As per the order issued by the special bench in the Madras High Court that hears cases related to forests and environmental protection, the liquor sold through Tasmac
A scheme was introduced to collect an additional Rs. 10 on beverages and return that amount when empty bottles are handed back.
However, instead of collecting an extra Rs. 10 per bottle, the maximum retail price was increased on Oct. 29 by imposing a Rs. 10 environmental and social welfare tax.
It has also been decided to install a “reverse vending machine” to take back empty bottles and refund Rs. 10 per bottle.
Raising the maximum retail price of liquor bottles on the basis of an additional tax will affect the business of entertainment clubs and star hotels.
Also, clubs cannot be charged an additional Rs. 10 per bottle as an environmental and social welfare tax. In addition, liquor purchased from TASMAC can be consumed by club members within the club premises or taken home.
Therefore, clubs cannot be compelled to collect empty liquor bottles from the homes of their members. That is impossible.
Therefore, the circular issued by the Prohibition and Excise Commissioner in 2022 regarding the scheme to take back empty liquor bottles is arbitrary and impractical, and should be canceled.
A ban should also be imposed on raising the prices of alcoholic beverages under the name of additional tax. This is what has been sought in the petition. The petition is set to come up for hearing soon.