The general debate on the budget is taking place in the Legislative Assembly today.
During the discussion on TASMAC, it was said, “We have completely shut down 717 shops. We have informed which shops were closed, along with their shop numbers.
If complaints are made, with the shop number, about shops that are causing inconvenience to the public, we will immediately relocate that shop.
Alcohol is not being sold online. The online system is being introduced only for cashless transactions.
“Selling liquor online is a wrong idea,” said Prohibition and Excise Minister Vignesh.
In response, PMK MLA Ganesh Kumar said, “Liquor should not be seen as a source of revenue. The government itself should not encourage liquor. Saying that we are increasing the revenue from liquor is against the Constitution. A government should be engaged in efforts to eliminate liquor.”
Continuing his remarks, Minister Vignesh said, “During the previous regime, they said liquor could be banned in Tamil Nadu only if it was banned across India. We are against liquor. We do not want revenue from liquor to increase. We say revenue will rise only by eliminating corruption in liquor.”
Moreover, "The district administrations themselves do not know in which districts which shops have been closed. How are you going to reduce liquor? Do you have any plan to close so many shops a year?
When Nehru was Prime Minister, he sent a committee to every state to close liquor shops. At that time, the Congress side said, 'Illicit liquor is flowing like a river.' I am recording that here. Minister Vignesh speaks well despite being young. But he casually talks about corruption. One should not speak here as if speaking on a stage. One must speak with evidence," said DMK MLA E.V. Velu.
“The Enforcement Directorate prepared a detailed report on what all corruption took place in Tasmac and who received the ‘Party Fund,’ and sent it to the Tamil Nadu government. But the then government did not register a case based on it,” said Minister Arunraj, prompting the opposition to shout, “Lottery... lottery...”
Immediately, when Aadhav asked, “Why did you take 900 crore rupees from the lottery company?”, Udhayanidhi replied, “It was Aadhav’s uncle who gave the 900 crore rupees. You can ask him directly.”
To that, Aadhav said, "You should ask your father about that. He is the one who received the money. Your father is not here." The TVK members applauded. The opposition members shouted.