Daily Analysis of 'The Hindu' - 16th May, 2020 | Additional Study Material for UPSC PDF Download

 Page 1


TASMAC tribulations 
A question of quarantine 
The pandemic and the challenge of 
behaviour change 
Page 2


TASMAC tribulations 
A question of quarantine 
The pandemic and the challenge of 
behaviour change 
Name few items (product or service) on 
which, State Government can apply tax/levy.  
Page 3


TASMAC tribulations 
A question of quarantine 
The pandemic and the challenge of 
behaviour change 
Name few items (product or service) on 
which, State Government can apply tax/levy.  
TASMAC tribulations 
?Government-run Tamil Nadu State Marketing 
Corporation (TASMAC) 
?The conflict between fiscal health and public health 
is quite real for the States. 
?States are desperate to raise money to combat 
disease spread and to keep their public health services 
going. 
?In T N ’ s case, SC has stayed the HC order, paving the 
way for resumption of sales through outlets of the 
State-run TASMAC. 
Page 4


TASMAC tribulations 
A question of quarantine 
The pandemic and the challenge of 
behaviour change 
Name few items (product or service) on 
which, State Government can apply tax/levy.  
TASMAC tribulations 
?Government-run Tamil Nadu State Marketing 
Corporation (TASMAC) 
?The conflict between fiscal health and public health 
is quite real for the States. 
?States are desperate to raise money to combat 
disease spread and to keep their public health services 
going. 
?In T N ’ s case, SC has stayed the HC order, paving the 
way for resumption of sales through outlets of the 
State-run TASMAC. 
?The Madras High Court initially allowed the State government 
to open its vast network of liquor shops, subject to several 
conditions for maintaining physical distancing. 
?As there was overwhelming evidence that physical distancing 
had been given the go-by, the HC banned across-the-counter 
sales, and directed that only online sale be permitted 
?The reality is that selling liquor online would cut into the 
unaccounted extra fee that TASMAC staff charge for every 
purchase.  
?At ?5 to ?10 for each sale, this amount runs into crores of 
rupees annually and is believed to be shared among vested 
interests. 
Page 5


TASMAC tribulations 
A question of quarantine 
The pandemic and the challenge of 
behaviour change 
Name few items (product or service) on 
which, State Government can apply tax/levy.  
TASMAC tribulations 
?Government-run Tamil Nadu State Marketing 
Corporation (TASMAC) 
?The conflict between fiscal health and public health 
is quite real for the States. 
?States are desperate to raise money to combat 
disease spread and to keep their public health services 
going. 
?In T N ’ s case, SC has stayed the HC order, paving the 
way for resumption of sales through outlets of the 
State-run TASMAC. 
?The Madras High Court initially allowed the State government 
to open its vast network of liquor shops, subject to several 
conditions for maintaining physical distancing. 
?As there was overwhelming evidence that physical distancing 
had been given the go-by, the HC banned across-the-counter 
sales, and directed that only online sale be permitted 
?The reality is that selling liquor online would cut into the 
unaccounted extra fee that TASMAC staff charge for every 
purchase.  
?At ?5 to ?10 for each sale, this amount runs into crores of 
rupees annually and is believed to be shared among vested 
interests. 
A question of quarantine 
?Tens of thousands of people are moving across States. 
?The Centre finds itself facing a fresh front in the 
campaign to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.  
?Those who were stranded within the country and 
abroad have started returning home.  
?The system of quarantine in the States is not 
uniform. 
? Labourers compulsorily quarantined in Uttar Pradesh 
and Bihar escaped from the facilities after 
complaining of bad conditions.