Tamil Nadu Assembly debates liquor prohibition and licensing

A heated debate regarding liquor prohibition and distillery licensing occurred in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. PMK MLA Sowmiya Anbumani urged the government to implement total prohibition, citing social issues such as domestic violence and the impact on families. She argued that the Chief Minister could enact such a policy with a single signature.

Responding to these demands, PWD Minister Aadhav Arjuna stated that total prohibition cannot be implemented immediately with the “stroke of a pen” and noted that the government is preparing a comprehensive rehabilitation program. During the exchange, Minister Aadhav Arjuna also accused the previous DMK administration of a “white money scam,” alleging that distillery licenses were issued to individuals linked to leadership to force consumer purchases.

In a separate moment of tension, Minister Aadhav Arjuna signaled Deputy Speaker M Ravishankar to refrain from making comments regarding the implementation of prohibition policy. The debate concluded after Speaker J C D Prabhakar intervened, advising members to avoid making allegations without evidence while noting that related legal matters are currently pending in court.