Chennai, July 6 (IANS) The Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) is likely to introduce stricter regulations for licensing bars attached to its liquor outlets following allegations that several establishments have been operating with forged or improper building approval documents.

According to official sources, a high-level TASMAC meeting scheduled for Monday is expected to take a series of significant decisions aimed at strengthening the licensing process and ensuring compliance with court directives and safety regulations.

Bars attached to TASMAC liquor shops are required to obtain licences under a set of prescribed rules before commencing operations. As part of the licensing process, operators must submit valid planning permissions, land use approvals, building stability certificates and other statutory documents issued by competent authorities such as the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA), the Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) or the respective local bodies.

However, TASMAC has reportedly received complaints alleging that several bars in Chennai are functioning in buildings that do not possess valid planning approvals from either the Greater Chennai Corporation or the CMDA. It has also been alleged that forged documents were submitted by some operators to obtain bar licences.

Officials believe such violations pose serious safety risks to customers, particularly if bars are housed in structurally unsafe or unauthorised buildings. The proposed changes are also intended to ensure compliance with a Madras High Court ruling delivered in 2019, which held that bars could be permitted only in buildings that had received lawful planning approval.

The court had directed the authorities concerned to verify the legal status of both the building and the land before granting licences.

Sources said TASMAC is likely to grant existing bars a temporary extension of three months while introducing amendments to several provisions governing the licensing process.

The proposed revisions are expected to cover a number of the existing 54 licensing rules. Under the revised framework, officials will be required to thoroughly verify planning approvals issued by the Greater Chennai Corporation, CMDA or DTCP, along with certificates obtained from departments such as Fire and Rescue Services and the Food Safety Department.

Authorities are also likely to make it mandatory that no licence be issued to a bar operating from an unauthorised building.

The officials indicated that granting licences in violation of the High Court’s directions could amount to contempt of court.

The meeting is also expected to consider stricter action against those found to have submitted forged documents for obtaining licences. The revised norms are likely to be extended to FL-2 entertainment clubs as well, while changes to the tender process for operating bars are also likely to be discussed.

–IANS

aal/dpb