Close the TAS-u MAC-u - Way out of the shutter
The last two months in Tamil Nadu has witnessed widespread
protests calling for closing the shutter on Tamil Nadu Marketing Corporation – TASMAC,
the State run institution which controls the distribution of liquor in the
State. The protests were triggered following the death of Mr.Sasi Perumal
during his protest calling for closing a wine shop. In the aftermath of such incidents
it is worthwhile to analyze the impact which TASMAC had had on the State especially in the
last decade and the feasibility of its closure.
Implications:
The society has been at the receiving end of TASMAC's success. TASMAC has influenced the psychology of the population and has made
drinking an ‘acceptable’ part of our lives which is very well reflected in our
movies. The act of drinking which was done on rare occasions far outside the
premises of residential limits have completely changed with wine shops being
found near all residential areas including schools and temples. There have been
many instances where students have become addicted to this bane.
Apart from this, it takes a heavy toll on social capital. It
has brewed many habitual drinkers among the poor who spend their hard earned
money on liquor which destroys the savings of families.The fruitful
relationship of families gets lost and children bear the brunt of the tussle between the
parents. This has long term negative implications for the society with many
among its population becoming physically, mentally and morally unhealthy in few
decades. With the poverty gradient in India very steep increase in health costs
is bound to push more people to poverty.
Poor governance
model:
Tamil Nadu derives a significant part of its GDP from the
Tax revenue of TASMAC (1). This revenue is utilized by the government
for implementing its ‘welfare’ schemes. In the State’s context it translates to
distributing ‘freebies’ to the public. The ‘welfare’ schemes have involved
distribution of color television sets and electrical appliances instead of
infrastructure spending and have not been useful to the people. . The model of
freebies which was started almost a decade ago has taken a heavy toll on the
State’s financial strength (2).
With the financial strength dwindling and TASMAC being a
significant source of revenue, the government has hiked the taxes on liquor
products to sustain the freebie schemes. Such governance model does not translate in creating welfare rather it harms the existing human capital.
The governance model of the distilleries and liquor
production in the State is not sound either. The nexus between politicians and
distilleries is so rampant that the government decides what the people drink
(3).
Closing the shutter:
With problems in many domains, exiting the shutter is
difficult but not impossible. The prominent stakeholders who are involved
include the distilleries, the TASMAC employers and the liquor addicts. One of the
promising areas of future alcohol usage is blending with petrol. This eco-friendly option is constructive and does not take a heavy toll on the existing
distilleries.
The biggest problem for the citizens if TASMAC is done away
would be dealing with alcohol addicts. Dealing with this issue would need proper
medical infrastructure and de-addiction centers. This is a clear indication that
this has to be handled in a phased manner after creating the necessary
facilities.
Hence there has to be a policy change in effect which
mandates a significant blend of petrol with alcohol and establishing enough de-addiction
centers gradually if the government decides to do away with the institution
TASMAC, following strong political will.
Ban TASMAC and not
liquor:
Banning liquor in the state would essentially prove
counter-productive. Though Gujarat is legally a ‘dry’ state, liquor is being
smuggled from adjoining states. A ban would also spur the development of
illicit alcohol to which many people would fall prey. Moreover banning liquor
would favor the rich who could use their muscle to ignore it. Finally, banning
a phenomenon is not constitutionally right and citizens must be empowered with
choice.
To provide a level playing field the State should consider
licensing to produce toddy water which has only 4% of liquor content compared
to the greater than 40% liquor content prevalent in the current spirits
consumed. Liquor shops should be driven away to the borders of the cities and
villages to tide over the ‘acceptance’ factor.
In sum, efforts must be made to root out the menace of
liquor from every walk of life. Shutting down liquor units in one stroke or
continuing with the present scenario is not healthy to the society. It has to
be slowly moved out through a committed and a planned exercise.
Few minutes spent on observing the number of wine shops
which we cross everyday and the number of people who drink among our relatives
and friends will tell us that the society is slowly getting drowned.
Drinking is a man’s choice but the government should not take
pain in serving this poison to its own people. Revenue earned through TASMAC is
meagre compared to the damage it does to our society. So, it is high time that
serious steps are taken to close the shutter.
References:
(1) http://www.frontline.in/multimedia/dynamic/02269/lFL23_tables_123_e_2269322g.jpg
(2) http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/freebies-pose-a-threat-to-tamil-nadus-fiscal-health/article7046311.ece?ref=relatedNews
(3) http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-02-10/news/37008265_1_tasmac-foreign-liquor-liquor-market
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