CHENNAI: PMK founder S Ramadoss on Tuesday took strong exception to the reported move of Central and State governments to reclassify highways as ordinary roads or district roads to evade implementation of recent verdict of the Supreme Court to close down liquor shops along national and State highways.
Ramadoss expressed concern over the remarks of Union Minister of State for Tourism and Culture Mahesh Sharma in support of continuing sale of liquor in star hotels and bars. Besides, the view that closing down of liquor shops would affect tourism was not acceptable, he said and added that so far people from other countries visited India for its rich culture and spirituality. “Now, to claim that foreign tourists visit only to drink will amount to belittling ourselves,” Ramadoss said. He said the recent verdict of SC was a good opportunity for implementing total prohibition. “As such, the Central and State governments should use this opportunity and not give a fresh lease of life to liquor menace by reclassifying the category of roads,” he said.