In recent times where it has become habitual to get any merchandise delivered at your doorstep, country made liquor has finally, illegally found its way into the list of products being delivered door-to-door. And this in a remote village named Kariyanmpalayam near Annur here.

To avail the offer, however, the customer should have a loyal relationship with the provider, who also quenches the thirst of tipplers by selling it along with liquor distributed by the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation limited (TASMAC) in a remote area in the village in broad daylight.

According to a source, the business gained momentum near a lake close to a private engineering college after the change in working hours of TASMAC outlets throughout Tamil Nadu. The tipplers largely thrived on country made liquor as it reportedly contributed to 80 per cent of the sales.

“This business has been going on for a long time; while TASMAC bottles are sold at a 10 per cent profit illicit liquor, which is carried using plastic cans, is sold at rates equal to liquor and is distributed in plastic cups,” the source added. All the products are brought in plastic bags on two-wheelers.

On investigation, it was found that more than 25 people regularly gather near the lake to buy liquor from as early as 6 am and the sale continues throughout the day. The persons who sell the liquor even sell snacks like chips and mixture to the customers.

When queried about door-to-door delivery, the persons involved denied doing such business, yet those who bought liquor said that it was provided only to those are known to the sellers.

Residents in the vicinity, who claimed that the business has been going with the knowledge of the police, said that those involved in the activity had a political background which helped them thrive in the business.

“There has not been any arrest and despite the business going on in an open ground in broad daylight, police have not taken any concrete action. The sellers are also not known to us,” said a resident who wished to remain anonymous.

Reacting to the issue, a senior official from the Annur Police Station denied that such business was going on in the area.

“There could be toddy business in a few areas against which we are constantly taking action, but we have enough measures to curb the sale of country made liquor in the area,” the official added.