WHAT WOMEN SAY ABOUT TASMAC LIQUOR SHOPS IN TAMIL

Transcription

ISSUE 11
APRIL 2014
Dedicated to
to the cause of marginalized and downtrodden
VolumeVolume-XI
Rs.10/-Rs.10/
WHAT WOMEN SAY ABOUT
TASMAC LIQUOR SHOPS IN TAMIL NADU ?
“THE PROBLEMS FACED BY
WOMEN & CHILDREN ARE
VERY SEVERE
AND
THEY SHOULD BE SEEN
TO BE BELIEVED”
“POLITICIANS UNDERSTAND ONLY VOTE BANK POLITICS
AND
WOMEN SHOULD VOTE
ONLY FOR THOSE WHO PROMISE PROHIBITION”
Nandini Voice For The Deprived, April 2014
Page 1
WHAT ARTHASHASTRA SAYS ON PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNANCE
NEXT PRIME MINISTER SHOULD READ THIS
Arthashastra, was written by Kautilya in the 4th century before Christ. It consists of
15 chapters, 380 shlokas and 4968 sutras.This treatise is essentially on the art of
governance and has an instructional tone.
Kautilya wrote this treatise for the king Chandragupta Maurya and stated in its preface that it
has been written as a guide for "those who govern".
Art of governance
The leader of government should remember the two pillars of the art of governance namely
Nyay (the justice) and Dharma (the ethics), without which good governance will not happen.
Essence of leadership
The essence of leadership lies in its acceptance by the
citizens.Kautilya decries autocratic behavior of leader of
government and advises him / her to introspect to identify the
deficiencies and improve and develop, so as to increase the
acceptance level by the citizens.
Centralisation of power
Kautilya warns against centralisation of power by stating "one wheel alone does not move a
chariot”.The leader of the government can govern only with the help of advisors and ministers.
Standards of ministers and advisors
Kautilya is specific about the qualifying standards that the ministers must possess. These
qualities are: Drudhachitta (power of concentration), Shilavan (character), Pragna (thinking
capability), Vangmi (communication skills) and Daksha (observation / vigilance).
The advisors should have clarity in thought, practical experience, sound judgement and ability to
differ while keeping total devotion to the leader.
Required qualities for leader of government
*
*
*
*
*
Foundation of leadership consists of honesty, truthfulness and straight dealing.
Self discipline is the most important personal quality of a leader.
Leaders should be sensitive and should be aware of the needs, feelings and motivation
of those they lead.
A good leader shows ability to make decision and act boldly in the face of setbacks and
adversity.
Most important basis of success in any venture is pragmatism. Do not ask where the
new idea came from or who thought of it first. Ask only one question: does it work?
Page 2
DESPERATE CALLS
You can enjoy your prosperity only if you share your
income with the deprived and thus discover the
satisfaction that it provides.
Visually impaired person needs support
Mr.D.Arulmani, age 28 years is a poor visually impaired person.
He has failed in SSLC examination.
Mr.D.Arulmani
employment
employment.
request
requests
for
financial
support
for
self
Contact address:Mr.D.Arulmani,147, Nadu Theru, Sorathur Village, Thaiyur
Post-604 205, GingeeTk.,
ngeeTk., Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu
Nadu.Cell:8124260399
.Cell:8124260399
*****
Needs computer
Mr.C.S.Balachandar lost his two legs due to polio attack. Two
times he got heart attack.
Mr.C.S.Balachandar
lachandar requests for donation
donation of used computer for his son,who is a
student.
Contact address:Mr.C.S.Balachandar,17/1.B/32,Kandan
Mr.C.S.Balachandar,17/1.B/32,Kandan Street,
Street,Perambur,
Perambur,Chennai-11
*****
Kidney patient needs support
s
Mr.A.Ramesh,age 35 years is suffering from chronic renal failure.
At present,, he is undergoing dialysis twice in a week in Kaliappa
Renal Centre Pvt.Ltd, Chennai.He has to undergo kidney cadaver
transplantation very soon. The cost of the transplantion,
transpla
hospitalization charges, fees, etc. comes to Rs.4,70,000/-.
Rs.4,70,000/
Mr.A.Ramesh requests for financial help for his surgery.
Cheque may be drawn in favour of Kaliappa Renal Centre Pvt.Ltd, Chennai and sent
to the following address:
Mr.A.Ramesh,H/o.N.Radha,134,
H/o.N.Radha,134, 7th Block, Mugappair west, Chennai-600
Chennai
037
*****
Differently abled lady needs support
Ms.P.M.Ramya is a poor differently abled lady. Her husband is driver. Her child is
going to school.
Page 3
DESPERATE CALLS
Ms.P.M.Ramya
is
making
small
and
big
wire
baskets.Ms.P.M.Ramya needs support for selling her products.
Contact address: Ms.P.M.Ramya ,D/o.Mr.Pitchai Kuppan, Poondi,
Vempi (PO). Villupuram Tk. Villupuram, Tamil Nadu.
*****
Patient needs support
Mr.Jiban, age 10 years ,son of (late) Mr.Santi Ranjan is suffering
from recurrent tuberculosis due to immune deficiency.
He has been advised to take gamma interferon injection for
3 months at Apollo Speciality Hospital. The cost of injection
treatment is Rs.5,00,000/-.
For further details, Please contact: Jiban Ch.Dey, Near DBS Road, P.O.Lumding,
Dist.Nagaon (Assam), Vill.Khangar Gaon, Pin.782447
*****
Visually Impaired student needs support
Ms..R.Nageshwari, visually impaired lady is presently studying
B.Ed., course in N.K.Thirumalachariar College of Education for
Women, Triplicane, Chennai-5. She has to pay fees of Rs.30,000/For
further
details,
Cell No: 9791 076 179
please
contact
the
student
*****
Need sewing machines
Ms.A.Regina Mary, has worked in a export company as tailor for
3 years.
Ms.A.Regina Mary requests for donation of sewing machine to self
employ herself.
Contact address: Ms.A.Regina Mary, D/o.Mr.Anthony Muthu, New No.30, Old No.3,
Anthoniyar Kovil Street, Chennai-43. Cell No.9941010814
*****
Mr.A.Sabeer, age 33 years is differently abled person. He has undergone tailoring
course.
Mr.A.Sabeer requests kind hearted persons for donation of sewing machine to self
employ himself.
Contact address: Mr.A.Sabeer,9/5, Anna Salai, Kodungaiyoor, Chennai-118
Cell No;: 9791082618
*****
Page 4
DESPERATE CALLS
Student needs support
Mr.P.Akash Immanuel is studying IX std in Sharon Matriculation
School, Kallikuppam, Chennai.His father is visually impaired and his
mother is house maid.
Mr.P.Akash Immanuel requests for financial help of Rs.2000/- to pay
for his school fees for the month of April and May
For further details, please contact: Mr.P.Akash Immanuel,S/o.Ms.P.Pushpalatha,
2/7, Pandalamman Koil Street, Oragadam, Ambattur, Chennai-53.Cell No.9841184083
*****
Mr.C.B.Karthik belongs to a poor family and he is presently studying diploma course in a
polytechnic in Chennai. He has to pay Rs.30,000/- as the fees for the next academic year.
For further details, please contact: Cell No.9445293174, Chennai.
*****
HELP THE POOR STUDENTS
There are thousands of earnest and intelligent students in poor families, who
can reach great heights in life, if only they could be financially supported in
their school and college days. Many bright students are forced to discontinue
the education, as their parents can not afford to pay the fees to the
educational institutions. This is resulting in loss of talent for the country.
Such deserving poor students have to be helped financially to realize their potentials.
Please look for deserving poor students and help them.
FREE COMPUTER CLASSES DURING SUMMER VACATION
IN BESANT NAGAR & KORATTUR, CHENNAI
Nandini Voice for the Deprived, NGO will conduct free short term
computer course during summer vacation for the benefit of the
students belonging to lower income group at Besant Nagar and
Korattur in Chennai.
Venue:* Kakkan Colony, Besant Nagar, Chennai-600090
* Central & State Pensioner’s Association premises,
Korattur, Chennai- 600 080
The course will commence on 1st April,2014 and will be conducted in three batches every
day.
Those interested should contact Nandini Voice For The Deprived, Tele No. 24916037 for
registration .
Page 5
Reader’s Forum
Readers’ forum provides space for the readers to give expression to their
views on a variety of socio economic issues that is of relevance to the society.
Further enrichment of the journal with your thoughtful inputs would certainly
go a long way in promoting the cause that the journal seeks to espouse.
Dr. Kalam’s views on media
Dear Sir,
I refer to the question by Dr. APJ Kalam: 'why our news media reports
negative aspects? (March 2014 issue)
The fact is that the journalistic values have been showing a paradigm shift from positive
reporting of events and success stories to that of negative reporting of news that have
sensational value. For instance, the personal life of a so called celebrity involved in any scam or
social evil like rape gets priority over a brilliant research findings of a doctor or a scientist.My
analysis of half a dozen daily news papers showed that the space allotted for informative,
educative and inspiring news is much less as compared to trivial and gossip based news.Dr.
Kalam is right in expressing his anguish about the media coverage in the country.
V. Rajagopal
*****
Tirupathi
Truly special magazine
Dear Sir,
Excellent front cover on the March issue, reflecting the critical issue facing today's India.
Nandini Voice for the Deprived magazine is truly special and is forthright.
Balamurali Balaji
*****
Chennai
The atman
Dear Sir,
I am giving below an extract from Bindu Upanishad for the benefit of the readers.
Just as sugar pervades the juice of the sugarcane and sweetness pervades sugar, so also this
subtle atman pervades the whole world and the whole body.
Atman is “Amruta” without any form. He is `Atanu’ or bodiless. On account of his all pervading
nature, atman is called “purusha’ That aspirant, who is endowed with a subtle, sharp intellect, is
able to perceive the all pervading atman. That sadhak who has turned the mind inward by the
practice of sama and dama and who has been longing for the liberation, sees the self in his own
self by constant and deep meditation.
K.N.Narayana Pillai
Madurai
Page 6
RICH HAVE THEIR WAY IN TEMPLES TOO
Dr.V.Rajagopal Email:- rajvel44@gmail.com
The scenario in places of worship have changed in recent times from simplicity with
high sanctity and pure divinity in previous decades to one of commercialization of
worship at the expense of true sanctity.
From free darshan (dharma darshan) of God for all, many Hindu temples now adopt the
system of paid darshan with profit motive, which has led to mismanagement and
corruption, with the glaring sign of decline in sanctity.
Although it is vociferously claimed that in the eyes of God every devotee is equal
(‘Samadhrishti’), but in reality, some famous temples in the country indulge in providing darshan
on the basis of huge money collection as tickets with different denominations. The affordable
(rich) devotees can get better darshan in short time with money power, while ordinary devotees
have to struggle for long time to have glimpses of the same God. This is against the basic
principles of ‘dharmapracharam’ (spreading the message of righteousness).
People with power and the so called
celebrities have started controlling the
places of worship in some cases , with
claim on privileges even to receive God’s
blessings.
The number of temples have multiplied in
recent years with modern and expensive
construction, while some of the old
temples are in dilapidated conditions. New
temples with pomp and show are gaining
publicity, perhaps due to their money
power .
From a simple decoration of God with flowers and ordinary ornaments, now some of the deities
are bedecked with most costly jewels, each temple competing with one another for the display
of their wealth. It looks as if there are ‘rich’ and ‘poor’ Gods.
For rich people, it has become a status symbol to donate money to temples with much publicity,
sometimes to avoid the tax also. From simple one or two ‘prasadams’, one finds now variety of
‘prasadams’ offered in temples, as if it is a cafeteria.
With publicity and media hype on temple festivals, the pilgrim centers are gradually converted
as tourist spots with modern facilities for accommodation and expensive food for the visitors.
Thus, the erstwhile sacred and spiritual atmosphere around temples is lost in many places,
giving prominence for commercial practices.
Normally, one would expect that prayer/worship to God by millions of people should not only
enhance ‘bhakthi’ but also prevent them from indulging in undesirable activities. However, the
graph on corruption, crimes like murder in the country has been increasing, parallel with the
graph on worship to God.
Page 7
ARE INDIAN ELECTION COMMISSIONERS
MERE PAPER TIGERS ?
Indian election commissioners are known to issue notices and warnings to political
parties who violate the election rules and norms, but rarely they punish them
effectively.
An impression is increasingly gaining ground in the country that the election
commissioners view the violations by the political parties in a routine
manner.
Tirumangalam formula
There was a notorious assembly election in Tirumangalam in Tamil
Nadu a few years back , when crores of rupees were spent by the then
ruling party to bribe the voters openly and finally it won with thumping
majority. This method is now known in Tamil Nadu as “Tirumangalam
formula”. The then chief election commissioner said during his interaction
with the journalists
that the electoral rules were violated in
Tirumangalam. This was all that he could say but he did not countermand
the poll. In case he had done this, this would have done lot of good in
cleansing the electoral politics in Tamil Nadu to a considerable extent .
Will forthcoming elections become murky and unruly?
Now that the persons like Kejriwal and his political party are in the election fray, the
forthcoming parliamentary poll
campaign is bound to become murky and unruly , with
politicians using vituperative and abusive language and making wild allegations, while treating
the dictates of election commission with contempt and scant regard. These persons think
that the election commissioners will only issue warnings and notices and will not go beyond
this. If such trends would continue in the next few weeks , then the forthcoming parliamentary
election itself will become a mockery.
Election commission is not mere administrative body
The election commissioners who were bureaucrats and have shaped themselves as election
commissioners, should realise that election commission is not merely an administrative body
but a constitutional body with great responsibility and inherent powers to conduct the elections
in a free and fair manner.
In the past, the election commissioners have been hesitant to discipline the politicians during
the election times in an effective manner and this probably was due to the confusion amongst
the election commissioners themselves as to what extent they should go in the matter. Perhaps,
the election commissioners think that any of their strong actions may be challenged in the
court and the judiciary may strike them down.
However, this is an unnecessary fear amongst the election commissioners which arise only
due to their lack of realisation that they are, in fact, as much a constitutional body as the
judiciary.
Page 8
ARE INDIAN ELECTION COMMISSIONERS
MERE PAPER TIGERS ?
Election commission should not feel helpless
It is very important that the election commissioners
should immediately convene a meeting of all the
political parties and issue a firm warning to them that
any violation of the electoral procedures would be
viewed very seriously and those violating would be
punished very severely.
It is absolutely necessary that the election commission should reiterate and redefine what it
considers as violative of the acceptable electoral practices and clearly state as to what would
be the type of punishment that it would impose. Such punishments should certainly include
barring the erring persons from contesting in the polls, if it would become necessary.
Certainly, the election commissioners should avoid giving an impression that
helpless in tackling the misbehaviour of the politicians and political parties.
*****
they feel
NOW AMMA THEATRE IN TAMILNADU
TAMILNADU DESERVE BETTER
The latest is that the Tamilnadu government has now announced amma theatre, which
is to be built to provide entertainment such as cinemas at low cost. This follows
several other amma products such as amma idly, amma water etc.
Should governance of a state amount to only this ?
What the state urgently needs is development oriented activities and projects that would
promote opportunities for growth , particularly for those belonging to lower income
group. But, people get from the government largely liquor, idlies and theatres.
The liquor sales in Tamilnadu is increasing at alarming level and is now likely to exceed
Rs. 26,000 crores this financial year, which constitute around 25% of the state’s income
by way of revenue and taxes. Due to rapid spread of liquor habit, peace and harmony in
thousands of poor families have been uprooted and lakhs of women and children in
lower income group are undergoing enormous sufferings in day today life, with menfolk
fritting away their income in TASMAC shops and driving women and children in families
to despair.
The problems faced by such women and children should be seen to be believed.
Tamilnadu deserve better.
Page 9
WHAT POOR PEOPLE EXPECT
FROM NEXT CENTRAL GOVERNMENT ?
While the income in terms of rupee has gone up for all sections of the people, the fact is
that the rupee fetches less and less due to its falling value.
In such scenario, the standards of living of the large segment of the people have really not
improved, though it may look that their income have gone up. This is particularly so, in the
case of poor people.
The poor and deprived citizens who constitute
around 30% of population, largely constitute the
unorganised working class
or those physically
crippled and unable to take up any productive work.
They do not have steady income and they are not
protected from the inflationary conditions and
uncertainties of life to the extent needed. Such people
are those who desperately need the support of the
government to improve their living conditions.
In recent years, most of the benefits due to any improvement in national economy have largely
benefited only the organised class who get regular increase in wages from time to time and
have reasonable level of living standards. Improving the life conditions of the unorganised class
of people are the primary task and responsibility of the governments, which have been found to
be wanting.
Poor people needs opportunities and not freebies
What the poor people need today is opportunities for education and skill acquisition at
reasonable standards and at affordable cost, which the governments are not able to provide
them. If such opportunities are extended with good efficiency , the poor people will remain
somewhat satisfied and can strive to improve their conditions to the extent possible for them.
The fact is that poor people do not have such advantage to a very large extent. What the
government does for the poor people is more in terms of extending freebies to them by way
of free or subsidised ration or free sarees and dhothies during festival seasons , which are not
substitutes for tangible and worthy welfare measures. The freebies do not contribute to the
basic improvement in the confidence and morale of the poor people but really hurt them in the
long run by making them lead a life with a begging bowl and with an attitude of ever
dependence on government support for their survival.
Poor people remain on the ring side
In the last several years, whatever economic growth that has happened in India have largely
benefited those who belong to middle and upper income group, who are in a position to seize
the opportunities. On the other hand, the poor people remain on the ring side and are reduced
to watch helplessly the growth taking place around them, without such growth benefiting them in
equal measure.
Page 10
WHAT POOR PEOPLE EXPECT FROM NEXT CENTRAL GOVERNMENT ?
It is extraordinary that such poor people remain tolerant of such conditions and continue to
believe the vague promises made to them by those in power and authority.
As a matter of fact, the governments are fooling them by extending freebies periodically, which
have become regular practice now , even as the governments fail to improve their basic
conditions in quick time in worthwhile manner.
Less role of government in education
It is extremely disturbing and unfortunate that the state and central governments have
withdrawn from the field of education for all practical purposes, by largely looking upto the
private sector to fulfil the emerging needs.
Not only the governments are not investing adequately on its own in building educational
institutions but have also allowed the standards of education imparted by the government
institutions to deteriorate gradually. The net result is that whereas the poor people have no
alternative other than going to the government owned educational institutions, they are
condemned to receive poor quality of education , which make it difficult for them to survive and
grow in the competitive world.
Just as in the educational field, the medical field have also been largely left to the private
institutions to meet the growth in demand.The poor people have no alternative other than
going to the government hospitals where the administration is tardy and attention is inadequate.
Poor people left with disadvantages
With education and medical
facilities , now largely under the
control of private sector, becoming
expensive and beyond the reach of
the poor people and the standards
of the government run institutions
are so poor, the poor people are left
with all the disadvantages and
therefore , are forced just to stay
where they are. In many cases.
Even staying at the same status
have become difficult and they
helplessly further go down.
Need quality government at centre
This is the crux of the issues and the poor people expect that the central governments should
sort out such issues quickly and competently. This requires a central government whose
leaders have extraordinary level of commitment and capability to meet the expectations of the
poor people.
The corrupt leaders in the government cannot do this.
Page 11
IMPACT OF TASMAC SHOPS ON WOMEN’S LIFE IN TAMIL NADU
WHAT TAMIL WOMEN SAY ?
Nandini Voice for the Deprived , organised an essay competition for women in
Tamil Nadu on “Impact of TASMAC shops on women’s life in Tamil Nadu”.
603 women from all over Tamil Nadu , belonging to cross section of society at different
economic and educational level, submitted their entry for the competition either in
English or in Tamil.
Observation of the judges :
None of the 603 participants approved the TASMAC shops and
all of them wanted the shops to be closed. While many said that
the shops should be closed forthwith immediately, a few of them
said that it should be closed in stages over a period of time.
All the 603 women participants provided their full name and
address, which give the impression that women have very
strong views on the subject and they do not mind about any
consequences that they may have to face by revealing their
identity.
Quite a number of them started writing after expressing their gratitude to the organisers of the
essay competition for providing them an opportunity to vent out their views and feelings, which
they feel , have not been heard so far by those in charge of governing the state.
Quite a few women have said that it would be immaterial for them as to whether they would
win prize in this competition and they are satisfied that an opportunity has been given to them
to express their views, which they hoped will be conveyed to the government of Tamil Nadu
and there would be impact on the future developments in the state with regard to TASMAC
shops.
Number of them have described their personal experience in detail, which really brought tears in
the eyes of the judges who evaluated the essays.
Prize winners :
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Ms. P. Alli
Ms. Kalyani Sreedharan
Ms. P. Anu
Ms. M. Uthamaseeli
Ms. Thirumamagal Kannan
Ms.Jayalakshmi Thirunavukarasu
Ms. Vasanthi Krishnamurthy
Ms. Geetha Gopalan
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Ms. Bhuvaneswari K.K.
Ms. B. Saraswathi
Ms. A.M.Valarmathi
Ms. N.S.C. Aarthi
Ms. Kavitha Manikandan
Ms. N.Hemavathi
Page 12
IMPACT OF TASMAC SHOPS ON WOMEN’S LIFE IN TAMIL NADU- WHAT TAMIL WOMEN SAY ?
Highlights of the views of the participants are given below
Rapidly increasing number of liquor addicts :
The percentage of increase in income for the government through
sale of liquor in TASMAC shops is well over an average of 19%
per annum in the last ten years. Such increase in sale is due to
increasing number of liquor addicts, who are increasing at well
over 8% per annum in Tamil Nadu, of which youth constitutes a
big share. Due to such conditions, the future of Tamil Nadu itself
has become a question mark. This is an alarming scenario about
which any welfare government should be highly concerned.
Privatisation of educational institutions and government take over of TASMAC shops
In a welfare state , it would be more appropriate that the government should invest and manage
educational institutions and hospitals in good measure directly for the sake of the poor people
and it should leave affairs such as TASMAC shops in the hands of private sector, so that the
government would not be a party to it and it can control and discipline such activities. It
appears to be the other way in Tamil Nadu now.
Death due to liquor habit :
In the prohibition days, the number of death due to illicit
liquor was in the region of 500 per annum. But, now, the
number of people dying , losing limbs and becoming
disabled consequent to accidents due to drunken driving,
murders due to liquor brawl , suicide by helpless women
etc. could be well over 10,000 in Tamil Nadu every year.
The government’s argument that TASMAC shops are
necessary to avoid deaths due to illicit liquor fall flat in the
light of the above data.
Age of liquor addicts:
Miserable conditions of women:
In the prohibition days, some people used to become liquor
addicts at the age of 25 and above, which is a microscopic
figure compared to the present number of increasing liquor
addicts in the state. These days , there are many instances
of boys in the age group of 13 taking to liquor habit and
several boys in their teens becoming liquor addicts.
In the prohibition days, women particularly belonging to lower income group , certainly lived with
greater peace and with harmony in the family. Today, with more than 40% of men folk in Tamil
Nadu reported to be consuming liquor, the atrocities against women and children in homes and
even in public places and work places have reached intolerable level. The breakages of
marriage have become too frequent and abuse of girls by drunken relatives and even by
drunken men teachers are no more uncommon. The sufferings of women and children should
be seen to be believed.
Page 13
Government spending on welfare measures & freebies
After driving thousands of poor families into poverty and debt condition by opening many
TASMAC shops in nook and corner of the state and tempting people to spend substantial
portion of their income in buying liquor, government is extending welfare measures such as
rehabilitation and counseling for drunken men and providing idlies and chapathis at very low
price and free rice to poor people to save them from starvation.
While any welfare government should help the poor
people to improve their life conditions by providing
concessions and support measures so that they would
live and progress with dignity and confidence, what the
government of Tamil Nadu is doing amount to making
the citizens poor both economically and in health due to
liquor consumption and then providing support measures.
It is sad that the government does not realise that its
actions are affecting the productivity of the society and
the dignity of the people, forcing them to live life long
expecting the government freebies for their survival.
Liquor habit spreading amongst women too
What should cause even more concern is that liquor habit
is gradually increasing amongst women too, particularly
amongst the educated and well employed women, who
should know better. While some women too have taken to
liquor habit in lower income group also, the percentage of
women amongst the educated class taking to liquor habit
is much more than the percentage of women amongst
lower income group taking to liquor habit.
Pleadings of great men ignored :
Great patriots and scholars like Mahatma Gandhi, Rajaji,
Periyar, Kamaraj and Annadurai pleaded for the cause of
prohibition and did their best to wean away people from
liquor habit during their life time. A new generation was
brought up by their efforts, who do not have liquor habit.
All such good work have now been wiped out in one
stroke by government lifting the prohibition.
The successive governments of Tamil Nadu during the
last few decades , which have lifted the prohibition , have
treated the views of such great leaders and sayings of
Tirukural with scant regard. It is ridiculous that the Tamil
Nadu government celebrate the birthdays and
anniversaries of these leaders while ignoring their
messages.
Page 14
Actions reveal that the Tamil Nadu government does not care:
While there have been number of protests by women in different places in the state against
TASMAC shops and many agitations have been carried out by people to remove TASMAC
shops from their localities and courts have given number of directives with regard to location of
TASMAC shops near schools, temples and residential areas, the government is actually
increasing the number of TASMAC shops with an eye on the liquor income.
Further, it has started promoting elite liquor shops in malls, obviously with the intention of
attracting rich people and making it easy for well employed women to purchase liquor
conveniently.
While the government gives lame excuse that TASMAC shops are necessary to avoid death
due to illicit liquor , its real objective is to multiply its income , so that it can extend freebies to
buy peace with the poor people, who are facing economic distress conditions
Society is losing its sensitivity:
It is tragic that society itself appears to be reconciling
itself to such sordid conditions due to widespread
consumption of liquor in Tamil Nadu. These days,
whether it is marriage or funeral or parties, liquor has
become an essential item. While women live in great
fear and law and order has become a grave issue
with the liquor addicts doing havoc, many members of
the society seem to have reconciled themselves that
such conditions are unavoidable anymore.
Does the government need liquor income?
Today, more than 25% of Tamil Nadu government’s income is contributed by TASMAC liquor
sale. This has resulted in avoidable and wasteful spending by the government and investments
in unproductive schemes and inadequate concern about efficiencies.
Page 15
This has also resulted in increase in corruption and dishonest acts , as people want to make
money by whatever means to buy liquor, for which they have become addicts. In the prohibition
days, there was no dearth of development activities and the fiscal discipline in the government
machinery was of high order.
Certainly there is a lot of scope for the government to reduce its expenses by avoiding wasteful
and unproductive activities and projects and not spending money on freebies for the poor which
have become counter productive.
As a matter of fact, the TASMAC liquor income conveniently covers the inefficient governance.
Tamil Nadu government should see the governance in Gujarat , where prohibition is in force.
Will the government respond? :
Whatever maybe the pleadings of the poor women against TASMAC shops, the politicians
running the government and members of some political parties in the state are unlikely to care.
Women who are the principal sufferers have to
organise themselves and protest strongly but
this is also unlikely , since the poor women have
now become too weak even to protest.
Therefore, the only option available for women is
to take a united decision that during the
forthcoming parliamentary poll, women will not
vote in favour of any political party that would not
promise prohibition in it’s election manifesto. The
present day politicians understand only vote
bank politics and women should respond.
*****
Views of the readers
Thank you for the information you have given on the problems faced by women due to TASMAC
shops . I agree with you that this is a great curse in our society. I agree that such shops should
be closed.
Dr. M S Swaminathan ,Chennai
*****
Very interesting and informative. Is anybody interested? Can women become a vote bank ?
Susheela Kaushik, New Delhi
*****
It is so revealing. What a shame that the Government is contributing to make the younger
generation to become addicts.
Col.S.Krishnaswami,Chennai
*****
Page 16
RESIST CORRUPTION
AT INDIVIDUAL LEVEL
CORRUPTION
CAN
BE
EFFECTIVELY
ROOTED OUT IN INDIA ONLY BY LARGE
SEGMENT OF CITIZENS MAKING THE
NECESSARY
SACRIFICE
TO
RESIST
CORRUPTION, BOTH BIG AND SMALL, AT
INDIVIDUAL LEVEL.
THE CITIZENS SHOULD BE BOLD AND
FEARLESS TO FIGHT CORRUPTION.
SWAMI
VIVEKANADA
SAYS
”BE
NOT
AFRAID OF ANYTHING. YOU WILL DO
MARVELOUS WORK. THE MOMENT YOU
FEAR, YOU ARE NOBODY”.
A DOZEN OF SUCH HONEST CRUSADERS
CAN WIPE OUT CORRUPTION IN THE
GOVERNMENT AND SOCIETY.
THEN, INDIA WILL MOVE TO BETTER
TIMES.
ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION: RS.100/RS.100/- FOR TWELVE ISSUES
We look forward to your support and encouragement.
NANDINI VOICE FOR THE DEPRIVED
M-60/1, IV Cross Street,Besant Nagar, ChennaiChennai- 600 090. India
Tel: 2491 6037 Fax.:(044) 2491 6037
E-mail: nsvenkatchennai@gmail.com,
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Web:nandinivoice.org
Edited & published by N.S.Venkataraman
Page 17

WHAT WOMEN SAY ABOUT TASMAC LIQUOR SHOPS IN TAMIL

Transcription

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