Chennai hasn't recovered fully from its worst flooding in decades and going by the wide devastation, a massive clean-up is still needed to get the city back on its feet. People have suffered loss of property, many are homeless, many roads are still not navigable, power has not been restored in many areas and the Army, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and volunteers are still reaching basic essentials to the survivors.
ALSO READ: 'Amma' Stickers On Relief Material Enrage Hungry Survivors
However, in all of this, the one service that has not stopped is the state-run liquor shops. Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) shops were open in many parts of the city even as people are still flocking to relief centres in search of blankets and a change of clothes.
What's even worse--in some places, women volunteers were reportedly harassed by inebriated customers.
According to The News Minute, for the last week, TASMAC shops in Nungambakkam, Choolaimedu, Anna Nagar and Arumbakkam have been functioning from 11 AM to 10 PM.
The staff, at least, seem determined to keep the shops open.
"Even if one of the staff in the shop dies still I will open the TASMAC shop,” one told the News Minute.
And, while the prices of essential items such as torches and batteries shot up in the wake of the floods, prices didn't change for alcohol.
Many have taken to social media asking for the TASMAC shops to be shut down.
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ALSO READ: 'Amma' Stickers On Relief Material Enrage Hungry Survivors
However, in all of this, the one service that has not stopped is the state-run liquor shops. Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) shops were open in many parts of the city even as people are still flocking to relief centres in search of blankets and a change of clothes.
What's even worse--in some places, women volunteers were reportedly harassed by inebriated customers.
#Chennai is in need. Yes, We are responsible for everything. But if all of us have to get in and help. The legalized...
Posted by Balaji on Sunday, 6 December 2015
According to The News Minute, for the last week, TASMAC shops in Nungambakkam, Choolaimedu, Anna Nagar and Arumbakkam have been functioning from 11 AM to 10 PM.
The staff, at least, seem determined to keep the shops open.
"Even if one of the staff in the shop dies still I will open the TASMAC shop,” one told the News Minute.
And, while the prices of essential items such as torches and batteries shot up in the wake of the floods, prices didn't change for alcohol.
A request to Tamil Nadu government, they should at least close these TASMAC shops for a while. Disgusting :/
— Rajasekar (@sekartweets) December 7, 2015Many have taken to social media asking for the TASMAC shops to be shut down.
Many people r sleeping in the road now.Drinkers creating problems during night. Please close #Tasmac till the problem gets resolved
— Common Man Sathish (@SathishMSK) December 7, 2015Yday, @achu17 tweeted saying drunk ppl are hindering volunteer work. Today, women were harassed to tears. #TASMAC https://t.co/ypSmKnm0LK
— Sandy (@sandygrains) December 5, 2015#Tasmac- Understand many getting drunk and creating problems for volunteers and rescuers. Can shops be closed for a week ?
— Mohan Raman (@actormohanraman) December 4, 2015@itisprashanth I'm sad that thr is no milk shop to buy milk but the bloody #TASMAC is opened with full rush #chennairains
— Sattish viswanath (@sattish_viswa) December 4, 2015
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