Chennai, April 28 : Anbumani Ramadoss criticised the ruling M.K. Stalin-led DMK government, alleging that its inaction has led to a surge in illicit liquor sales across Tamil Nadu, forcing local communities to take matters into their own hands.

In a statement on Tuesday, the PMK leader referred to a recent incident in Podur village near Bennenagaram in Dharmapuri district, where a group of women allegedly ransacked four illegal liquor outlets operating in the area. The main accused in the illicit trade, identified as Govindan, reportedly escaped during the incident.

While asserting that taking the law into oneâ??s own hands is not an acceptable solution, Ramadoss said the prevailing situation was a direct consequence of administrative failure.

He alleged that the DMK government, which has been in power for the past five years, has created an environment where villagers felt compelled to act due to the unchecked proliferation of illegal liquor shops.

According to him, the four outlets in Podur were not newly established but had been functioning for several years. Despite repeated protests by local residents demanding their closure, no effective action was taken by the authorities.

He further claimed that similar illegal roadside liquor outlets operate round the clock across the Dharmapuri district.

Ramadoss also pointed out that the PMK had organised multiple protests seeking the removal of such outlets, and that Dharmapuri MLA S.P. Venkateshwaran had raised the issue in the Assembly. However, he alleged that the state government failed to act, and instead indulged in â??petty politicsâ?? by mobilising certain groups to demand the opening of government-run liquor outlets in other villages.

Highlighting the scale of the issue, Ramadoss claimed that while 4,787 TASMAC shops function legally across Tamil Nadu, more than 20,000 illegal liquor outlets are operating in parallel.

He alleged that this has not only devastated poor and middle-class families but also resulted in massive revenue losses and corruption, estimated at over Rs 50,000 crore annually due to evasion of excise duties and taxes.

Describing the Podur incident as a reflection of public anger against illicit liquor, Ramadoss urged authorities not to take action against the women involved. Instead, he called upon the government and police to intensify efforts to shut down illegal liquor operations across the state.

/IANS