CHENNAI: Out of the total 4,533 retail vending TASMAC shops in the State, only 1,515 licenses had been granted to sell eatables and they all have been told to strictly adhere to rules relating to Food Safety Act, a division bench of the Madras High Court was told on Tuesday. This is contained in a counter filed by TASMAC Managing Director when criminal original petitions from Nallathambi and 20 others, who were arrested in connection with the agitation against shifting of a TASMAC shop at Thirumull-aivoyal, came up for further hearing.
The counter said all the 1,515 license holders have been directed to submit the licence issued under the Food Safety and Standards Regulation to the district managers concerned. However, only 205 contractors had responded. A further direction has been given by TASMAC head office to all district managers to immediately issue a show cause notice, asking them to produce the same within seven days failing which the licence for selling eatables would be cancelled, the affidavit said.