GENRE: Explainers

Recently, the Delhi government reduced the legal age for alcohol consumption from 25 to 21. The government also approved a new excise policy allowing the opening of more liquor stores in the national capital.  In India, the business of manufacture, sale and consumption of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) remains one of the most regulated domains with rules varying from state to state. In this article, we try to explain the laws and rules that govern the sale and consumption of alcohol . The business of liquor  As per the Indian Constitution, Item number 51 in the state list, which…

On March 27, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike's Administrator Gaurav Gupta (he has since been elevated to the post of BBMP Commissioner) presented the city’s budget for 2021-22, in the absence of an elected Council. The budget outlay for this year is slightly lower than that in the last two years, yet high at Rs 9286.8 crore.  Where will the money come from? According to budget documents, the largest chunk of funds (41%) will come from state government grants. The second highest contribution (36%) is expected from taxes, primarily property tax. BBMP expects to collect Rs 2,800 crore of property tax…

The much anticipated Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections 2021 is here. The political landscape of the state has undergone drastic changes since the last election, with both major parties losing their leaders in M Karunanidhi and J Jayalalitha. New entrants such as Kamal Hassan's Makkal Needhi Maiam have found their footing in the scene. The Bharatiya Janata Party is hoping to make inroads in the state with a popular ally. TTV Dhinakaran's Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam attempts draw voters away from the ruling Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. Friends have turned foes and foes have turned allies as parties attempt to form…

Perambur is one of the constituencies in the northern part of the city. Much like other localities in North Chennai, it is a constituency primarily dominated by the working class.  Some of the areas that fall under Perambur Constituency are Vyasarpadi, parts of Kodungaiyur, parts of Perambur, Erukkancherry, Chinnandimadam, Lachumiamman Nagar, Kaviarasu Kannadasan Nagar, M.K.B Nagar and New Kamaraj Nagar.  Representative image. AIADMK candidate Vetrivel was elected as the MLA of Perambur constituency in the 2016 polls with 79,974 votes. Following the death of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, however, the party was split and Vetrivel joined TTV Dhinakaran’s Amma…

Virugambakkam constituency was formed in 2009 after merging parts of Villivakkam and Alandur constituencies. Located between the Coovum and Adyar River, some of the areas that form the constituency are M.G.R Nagar, Jafferkhanpet, K.K. Nagar, Nesapakkam, Saligramam and Rani Anna Nagar.  Koyambedu, the largest market for perishable goods in Asia, is one of the important landmarks in Virugambakkam constituency. The Koyambedu Market Management Committee is collaborating with Care Earth Trust NGO to undertake greening activities within the market complex. The NGO plans to create a small tree park. Besides prominent film artists, politicians and entrepreneurs residing here, there are a…

Velachery constituency consists of West Adyar, Tharamani, Sastri Nagar, Indra Nagar, Besant Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur and Velachery localities. The entire area has excellent connectivity to all corners of the city, but suffers from traffic congestion and flooding issues during monsoons. The constituency is also home to a part of the city’s famed IT expressway with almost 70 offices in 20 buildings. The demographic is a mix of upper middle class and middle class residents. There is a sizable migrant population due to the availability of employment in the construction and IT industries that dominate the area. Representative image Votes cast (2016) …

Harbour constituency consists of localities such as Wall Tax road, Kondithope, Sowcarpet, Seven Wells Street, Broadway, Kachaleshwar Nagar, Muthialpet, Park Town and few wards in Anna Salai.  Broadway -- a central locality within Harbour constituency -- houses shops selling everything, from electrical appliances to handicrafts, plastic containers to thermocol items, hardware manufacturing items to software products. You are wrong if it gives an impression that the constituency is completely commercial. The footpaths of Wall Tax Road are home to many homeless, who work as daily labourers in these commercial complexes. Sowcarpet market which is known for gold plated jewelry has…

With more than 9 lakh voters, Villivakkam constituency was once the largest constituency in Asia. The constituency was delimited in 2008 to create Ambattur, Maduravoyal, Kolathur, Madhavaram and Virugambakkam constituencies.  This time, the incumbent MLA B Ranganathan (DMK) has not been offered a seat. The grandson of veteran Dravidian politician K Anbazhagan, A Vetriazhagan will be contesting on a DMK ticket against AIADMK’s JCD Prabhakar. Fondly known as Perasiriyar (professor), K Anbazhagan was General Secretary of DMK for over four decades and a close confidant of former CM M Karunanidhi. He passed away in March 2020 at the age of…

Sriperumbudur assembly constituency is famous for its factories and for being the site of the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. The constituency is highly industrialized, with many manufacturing units. Yet, large parts of the constituency struggle to get drinking water and basic amenities. Connectivity too has been a weak link, with citizens complaining of lack of frequent bus services. While the presence of the factories has brought some positive developments, the residential areas hope to see improvement in amenities and new infrastructure projects. Representative image. Sriperumbudur sees a faceoff between incumbent ADMK MLA K Palani and Selvapurnthagai K…

Sholinganallur, once a village on the outskirts of Chennai, developed over time to become an upmarket neighbourhood in the city. The growth is primarily attributed to rapid development on the IT expressway and also the booming real estate sector, that propped up residential and commercial use.  Historically-important places like Kovalam and Mahabalipuram are close by. Sholinganallur is a densely populated constituency. The East Coast Road portion of the constituency houses the fishermen community and IT employees. Beach villas owned by bigwigs and celebrities dot the coastline. Read more: Rs 700 crore spent annually as OMR residents wait in vain for…