Chennai, Aug 3 (IANS) The Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac) is likely to invite online tenders for fresh bar licences in the second week of August as part of a wider plan to improve facilities and service standards at bars attached to its liquor outlets across the state.
The fresh licensing exercise is expected to pave the way for a modernisation drive, initially focusing on bars in major cities, including Chennai, Tiruchy, Madurai and Coimbatore.
The corporation is considering introducing minimum standards for infrastructure and customer amenities that successful bidders would be required to maintain.
The move follows persistent complaints from customers about poor conditions at several Tasmac bars. Issues raised include inadequate sanitation, insufficient seating, poor-quality food, lack of safe drinking water and limited parking facilities. Officials are examining measures to address these shortcomings through conditions incorporated into the new licensing framework.
Tasmac is also considering a significant change to the existing rules by permitting cooking facilities inside licensed bars. At present, cooking is prohibited, and the use of stoves is not allowed on bar premises. However, inspections have reportedly found violations at several establishments, while bar operators have repeatedly sought permission to prepare food on the premises.
The corporation is now examining whether cooking can be permitted subject to safety and hygiene requirements. Officials said provisions relating to cooking facilities could be included in the new tender conditions, though a final decision is yet to be taken.
Separately, Tasmac is preparing to invite online tenders for the collection of empty liquor bottles under the bottle buy-back scheme.
The state government has asked the corporation to prepare a comprehensive report covering both the fresh bar licensing process and arrangements for bottle collection.
Preparatory work for the two tender processes is expected to be completed during the first week of August, paving the way for the tenders to be floated in the following week.
The licensing exercise follows a temporary extension granted to around 2,600 Tasmac bars across Tamil Nadu. Their existing licences expired on June 30, but operators were allowed to continue for another two months to provide sufficient time for completion of the fresh tender process. The extension is scheduled to end in August.
Successful bidders in the forthcoming tender process are expected to receive fresh licences, with the newly licensed bars likely to begin operations from September.
The proposed changes are expected to make improved sanitation, seating and other basic customer facilities an important component of the new licensing regime.
–IANS
aal/dpb