Tamil Nadu govt introduces special licence for serving liquor in marriage halls, stadiums and house parties

It said that the annual registration fee for obtaining the special licence is Rs 1 lakh for events in municipal corporations, Rs 75,000 in municipalities and Rs 50,000 at other places. There is no mention of the annual registration fee for non-commercial premises.

The fee per day for the permit issue for conducting one event (both commercial and non-commercial premises) is Rs 11,000 in municipal corporations, Rs 7,500 for municipalities and Rs 5,000 at other places.

It added that the licensee must obtain a no-objection certificate from the commissioner of police for events held within the corporation limits and from the superintendent of police for events held in the districts.

Further, the supplies must be obtained from the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) wholesale depot nearest the place of events or other sources the officials may approve.

“Every application for the grant of special licence for possession and serving of liquor shall be made online, prior to seven working days from the date of conduct of the event to the deputy commissioner/assistant commissioner (excise) in the districts,” the notification said. It added that liquor served under the special licence may be in pegs/bottles for consumption.

The notification also said that the venue of licensed premises should be closed to avoid public disturbances and noise pollution to maintain public peace and tranquillity and that the serving and consumption of liquor should not be made under the licence on government and public holidays.

Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) advocate K Balu took to Twitter and condemned the government’s decision to provide a special licence to serve liquor and said he would file a public interest litigation (PIL) at Madras High Court.

Under criticism for the move, Minister for Electricity, Prohibition and Excise V Senthil Balaji Monday said that the licence to serve liquor would be provided only during international events like Indian Premier League cricket matches and global investors meets. “Unlike the news in television and other media, the state government will never provide permission to serve liquor in places like marriage halls,” the minister said.