TENKASI: Several FL2 licence holders in Tenkasi are allegedly selling liquor in retail by misusing permits for recreation clubs. According to information obtained through RTI query by activist S Jameen, the State government has permitted FL2 license to 21 Manamahizh Mandrams (recreation or sport clubs or associations) across Tenkasi in the past two years. Of these, 13 FL2 licence holders and five FL3 licence holders are allegedly running bars along State or National highways.
Jameen demanded that FL2 bars located on roadsides be removed, pointing out that the district already has 61 Tasmac retail outlets. He further alleged that many licence holders were misusing the provisions by running the mandrams like retail liquor shops. “FL2 permits allow liquor to be served only to permanent members of the mandrams. However, during my field visits, I found that several of these establishments were openly selling liquor to the public,” he told TNIE.
Jameen also alleged that many of the licences had been issued to politically influential persons who had no connection with recreation, sports, or social associations. “In many cases, the mandrams exist only on paper while the premises function like regular retail liquor shops,” he said.
In response to Jameen’s RTI application, P Ramachandran, Public Information Officer-cum-Assistant Commissioner (Excise), Tenkasi, stated that licences for 13 of the 21 Mandrams were issued in 2025. Jameen claimed that several Mandrams, including one located on the Alangulam–Ambasamudram road, were permitted as recently as January and February 2026.
“With 61 Tasmac shops already functioning in the district, there is no need for mandram-based bars along highways,” he added.
The district manager of TASMAC, Tirunelveli, was unavailable for comment.