Alcohol in tetra Packing
Government of Tamil Nadu headed by MK Stalin recently announced closing down of 500 liquor shops in the state. Followed by the closure, S Muthusamy – the Tamil Nadu Minister for Prohibition and Excise stated that the state authorities are planning to pack and sell alcohol in Tetra packs. The stated reason for the same is of environment safety and cleanliness.
Why tetra pack though?
Reasoning this decision, S Muthusamy said, “Bottles get broken and damaged sometimes. This can be avoided if tetra packs are introduced. Empty liquor bottles thrown on farmlands or roadsides damage the environment.” In addition to this, the minister also showed his concern towards the improper cleaning of reusable liquor bottles, and expressed hope that tetra packs would eliminate such issues. He also claimed that tetra packs “cannot be adulterated”, and argued that they were “easy to handle”.
This practice is already prevalent in the neighboring states of Tamil Nadu – Puducherry and Karnataka. However, in Tamil Nadu, this will only be implemented after complete examination and evaluation of the matter.
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Tetra Packing of Alcohol opposed!
This initiative of the Tamil Nadu government is facing a serious backlash from the opposition in the state. Anbumani Ramadoss – PMK president and the former Union minister is leading this opposition move. He said, “Minors and students might mistake the liquor tetra packs for other beverages, such as milkshakes and other juices that are similarly packaged. Adults will not be able to check its proliferation among kids and students.” He also disputed the notion that tetra packs could stop alcoholic beverages in bottles from being adulterated.
Ramadoss characterised the idea as “truly alarming” and the justification as “absurd” in a statement. Ramadoss expressed displeasure that minister Muthusamy, “a seasoned politician” who he had “hoped would lead Tamil Nadu towards prohibition,” was putting up such suggestions, warning that the sale of alcohol in tetra packs could potentially encourage misuse and underage usage.
