Thousands of people will be out of jobs as every bar employs at least 10 to 12 people — waiters, bartenders, managers, etc,” says an hotelier, who wished to remain anonymous. Hoteliers feel that total prohibition would eventually cause many of these establishments to shut down as they make most of their money from the bars. Not just that the bartenders and waiters, but total prohibition will affect DJs, musicians and stand-up comedians, whose careers are just taking off in Chennai. With political parties in Tamil Nadu promising total prohibition — some saying it would be implemented in a phased manner and others, with immediate effect — the hotel industry is hoping for a rational alcohol policy after the elections. Many entrepreneurs and hoteliers are questioning the need for prohibition when the rules in the state are already strict.

Source: The Hindu May 12, 2016 21:07 UTC