I would say people have become habituated to liquor, not addicted: TN minister

ERODE: The number of Tasmac liquor shops would be reduced in the course of time, and liquor shops in residential areas would be relocated to other areas gradually, minister for housing, prohibition and excise S Muthusamy said on Tuesday.

Muthusamy said this while responding to a question by reporters in Erode. Asked about many people becoming addicted to liquor, the minister said, "I would not say they have become addicted to liquor, but they have become habituated to it. (Kudikku adimai agivittargal endru sollavillai. Anal, palakkappaduthui kondullanar endru solgiren). The DMK govt wants to reduce the number of liquor shops gradually. The chief minister is clear that gradual action should be taken in this regard."

He said steps were being taken to create awareness against liquor among school and college students.

Muthusamy was interacting with reporters after paying tributes to late chief minister C N Annadurai on the occasion of his death anniversary. The minister garlanded a statue of Annadurai at Panneerselvam Park in Erode. “Chief minister M K Stalin is doing what Anna wanted with the support of deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin,” he said.

Asked about Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman's statement that DMK govt was announcing several free schemes as it was afraid of actor and TVK leader Vijay, the minister asked where Vijay was when Stalin signed an order allowing women to travel free in govt buses. The govt has made free schemes for the future generation keeping the people in mind," he said.

“If the state's debt is rising, no scheme can be implemented. We need to see how the free schemes benefit the people," he said.

“Spending on the school breakfast scheme should not be seen as an expense. It is an investment for the future," he added.