HC notice to TN govt on PIL over WHO report on alcohol

Admitting a PIL seeking implementation of World Health Organisation's recommendations on containing alcocholism, the Madras High Court today directed Tamil Nadu government to spell out the measures taken by it on the matter.
A bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice T.S.Sivagnanam, issued notices to the prohibition department, the Home Secretary, the state DGP and TASMAC, a state-run corporation which is the sole Indian Made Foreign Liquor retailer in the state.
"How are you going to discourage the habit of drinking in and around TASMAC shops and (achieve) (bring about) reduction in consumption of liquor?" the court asked the Corporation during the hearing of the PIL by Advocates Forum for Social Justice seeking implementation of the WHO recommendations.

Asking the state government to spell out measures taken on WHO's Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health 2014, the bench directed it to file the counter-affidavit by October 29 and adjourned the hearing to that date.
It is the contention of the petitioner that steps should be taken to educate the masses through training and public awareness about evils of drinking.
Referring to the WHO report, the petitioner said "besides opening more number of de-addiction centres, it (the report) wants government not to permit new liquor shops and removal of all liquor shops located along highways.
"Hours of liquor sale in these shops too could be brought down it says, adding that states must recognise and authorise well-known NGOs working in the field of de-addiction to run counseling centre."

Senior counsel N L Rajah for the petitioner told the court that the WHO report suggests measures such as establishing 'sobriety check points' along national and state highways and minimise on-premises drinking of alcohol.