Coimbatore: A bar owner claiming to enjoy the support of few ruling party men attempted to scuttle the move by Tasmac officials to seal the bar that was functioning beyond the licence period on Monday.
Though the officials managed to seal the bar, the owner got the officials to open a room attached to it claiming that his workers were staying there. Officials have issued a strict warning that the room should be used only for accommodation and not for the consumption of alcohol. "We asked the city police to take action against the bar owners if they operate the bar," said M Irudhayaraj, district Tasmac manager.
As many as 169 Tasmac shops and 126 bars are functioning in Coimbatore North. Since the licence period for the bars is one year, tenders would be invited every year and the licence would be auctioned. Though the licence period for these bars lapsed in November 2015, the government had failed to invite fresh tenders allegedly due to administrative reasons and hence the licence was extended to January 2016.
However, on February 4, Tasmac officials invited new tenders for auctioning licences of the 126 bars. "But members of Coimbatore District Tasmac Bar Association did not participate in the auction alleging the auction rates were too high. Subsequently, Tasmac authorities ordered all bars to close business on February 5 till the auction,'' said an official. Despite this direction, a Tasmac bar on Geetha Hall Road continued to function even after February 5.
M Mariammal, deputy collector cum special flying squad officer for Tasmac, Coimbatore region, sent a letter to the inspector of police, prohibition enforcement wing, Coimbatore city, requesting them to take action against the bar owner.
On Monday morning, Mariammal and officials from Tasmac visited the bar and instructed the bar owner to close it immediately. But the owner refused stating that he had the support of an AIADMK councillor. He even went to the extent of threatening the officials.
As the commotion grew, the officials sealed the bar. The bar owner then started claiming that more than 30 people were staying in the room attached to the bar. Half an hour later, the room was opened.
Meanwhile, the Tasmac bar association lodged a petition with the district collector on Monday, seeking permission to run the Tasmac bar during March. They said they would participate in the auction for Tasmac licences scheduled on February 24.