Godspeed TASMAC Retail Vending Shop 9173

This is a story of relentless pursuit and unbridled focus to bring home the message: “If the process becomes the hurdle, it’s okay. Never give up till you accomplish your mission.” That’s what it took Jiji Mathew who fought the system for over two years to ensure a government-owned liquor shop wouldn’t come up near a worship place and Pre-KG school in Chennai.

In December 2021, the residents of Ramanujam Street, Thiruvottiyur, were informed about a proposed TASMAC shop in their area. The Marthoma Church, a residential area, and a pre-KG school were in close proximity to the proposed wine shop. The guidelines clearly state a distance of 50m is mandatory between TASMAC and places of worship and schools.  The residents immediately objected by alerting the TASMAC MD and the Chennai Collector but received no response. Consequently, they filed their first Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Madras High Court. However, due to jurisdictional issues—Ramanujam Street was in Greater Chennai Corporation, while the school was under Thiruvallur district—they had to withdraw the petition.

The Residents Association of Ramanujam Street organized a protest and wrote to Thiruvallur Collector, but again received no response, forcing them to file a second PIL. The then Government Advocate told the court they would follow the rules, and the Chief Justice dismissed their petition as premature in February 2022. Coincidentally, in the same month, the government issued an order allowing appeals against TASMAC-related decisions by district Collectors to be made to the Commissioner within 30 days.

Losing no time, Jiji Mathew filed a third PIL and followed it up with an objection in December 2022. On March 23, 2024, the Chief Justice allowed them to appeal to the Commissioner. Finally, on May 14, 2024, the Commissioner cancelled the District Collector’s order, as noted in a notification dated June 6, 2024.