CHENNAI: Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK Chief Coordinator O. Panneerselvam (OPS) has urged the state government to close the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac) liquor stores.

He stated that liquor stores must be closed until the Covid situation in the state returns to normal. He said, the Covid Test Positivity Rate (TPR) is presently at 8%, and Tasmac's liquor shops must remain closed at least until the TPR drops to 5%.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Panneerselvam said, "Within three days, the number of those who had tested positive for Covid-19 had doubled. This increase in incidents is due to the state government permitting these shops to operate." He said that when M.K. Stalin was the Opposition leader, he organised a protest in front of Tasmac stores on May 7, 2020, to shut them down, and there were only 580 Covid-19 positive cases.

Panneerselvam said that after becoming Chief Minister, he announced on June 14, 2021, that liquor outlets will remain open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a total of 12,772 cases at the time. The former Chief Minister slammed the DMK, saying he opposes the Chief Minister's stance on the Tasmac businesses.

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