Vijay govt suspends over 60 TASMAC staff for overcharging customers for liquor

The Tamil Nadu government has suspended over 60 employees from the state-run TASMAC liquor distribution network following allegations that they demanded additional charges from customers for liquor bottles. The action, carried out across major cities including Chennai, Madurai, Salem, Tiruchirappalli and Coimbatore, marks a sharp escalation in the state’s efforts to combat perceived corruption within its public sector. According to officials, the suspended staff were accused of collecting Rs 10 or Rs 20 per bottle beyond the official price, prompting a heated debate in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. The controversy emerged after reports surfaced that customers purchasing liquor from TASMAC outlets were being asked to pay extra fees, which some claimed were unofficial levies imposed by shopkeepers. During the assembly session, Prohibition and Excise Minister K Vignesh stated that the practice originated under the previous DMK government, when TASMAC employees earned approximately Rs 2,000 per month. He explained that the additional charges, initially set at Rs 2 per bottle, were used to cover operational costs such as electricity, rent and maintenance. Over time, the amount rose to Rs 5 and finally Rs 10, according to the minister. Vignesh attributed the persistence of the practice to the lack of adequate financial support and salary revisions by the previous administration. “It was the TVK government led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay which increased the salaries and is taking steps to weed out corruption,” he said. The current government claims it has improved wages and working conditions, yet the alleged continued collection of extra fees has prompted disciplinary action against staff. Opposition members, however, have challenged the government’s narrative. Former DMK minister K N Nehru pointed out that the minister himself had previously labeled the extra charge as corrupt. “If the practice is deemed 'corrupt' during previous tenures, continuing it now remains equally unjustifiable,” Nehru argued. He suggested that the current government might be using the issue to deflect criticism rather than addressing the root causes. In response, Vignesh defended the government’s stance, citing the low salaries and poor working conditions that had existed prior to his party’s assumption of power. He noted that employees previously received a gross monthly salary of Rs 14,000, with net income around Rs 11,000 after deductions. The minister emphasized that the government was not endorsing the additional charges but was instead tackling the systemic issues that had enabled them. Law Minister R Nirmal Kumar also participated in the discussion, accusing the opposition of ignoring ongoing investigations into corruption. He referenced legal documents and court records, alleging that individuals had manipulated the system to run multiple liquor retail outlets. Vignesh acknowledged that reforming TASMAC was complex due to long-standing practices dating back two decades. However, he assured lawmakers that the government was implementing measures to modernize the liquor administration, including better compensation for staff, official funding for shop operations and alignment with best practices in other states. The debate took a contentious turn when Public Works and Sports Development Minister Aadhav Arjuna raised concerns about “black or white money” in certain sectors, further intensifying the political tensions. As the situation unfolds, the government faces mounting pressure to provide transparency and ensure accountability within its public services. With the suspension of over 60 staff, the focus remains on whether the measures will effectively address the underlying issues or merely serve as a political tool.