It was on October 1 1937 that the then 'Premier' of the then Madras Presidency Rajaji introduced the Prohibition Act. Salem, his native district was the first to go dry. In 1948 when OV Ramasamy Reddiar was the Chief Minister it was extended to the whole Province,

In 1971 the Karunanidhi Government scrapped Prohibition, in spite of the appeal Rajaji personally made against the move. Now, the PMK founder S Ramadoss has taken the lead to make the State dry. The Doctor has prescribed a two-in-one tonic. He wants the eight thousand TASMAC outlets in the State converted into grocery shops selling essentials and vegetables on a non-profit basis. This move, if implemented would guarantee total prohibition and also help contain the spiralling prices of essential commodities.



The party has intensified its anti-liquor campaign. Conferences to highlight the ill effects of liquor are being organised in various districts. It has planned a liquor eradication conference in Udhagamandalam tomorrow.

PMK quotes surveys that conclude that it would be impossible in five years to come across a sober youth in Tamil Nadu, if liquor shops continue to be patronized the way they are..

Tamil Nadu has the dubious distinction of being number one in consumption of alcohol, according to the Pattali Makkal Katchi.

Will Karunanidhi, who turned down Rajaji's counsel, agree to the PMK founder's suggestion? Well, let's not disregard the comparison made by Priya Ranjan Das Munshi (with regard to the Bandh in Tamil Nadu on October 1 last year) between Mahatma Gandhi and Karunanidhi.