Tasmac shuts 150 outlets in three days; salesmen face challenges from customers

More than 150 liquor outlets located in close proximity to educational institutions and places of worship have been shut across Tamil Nadu following directives issued by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay. Sources said that around 50 shops were shut on May 12, followed by another 50 outlets on May 13 and an additional 50 on May 14. Employees associated with the process said that shop closure is not a simple exercise of shutting operations and vacating the premises. They pointed out that it involves a detailed procedure, including shifting existing stock to the godown and completing the necessary financial and administrative formalities, including submission of accounts.

The Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited, known as Tasmac, has compiled and segregated details of shops to be closed under multiple categories including district, shop number and the administrative area under which the outlet falls — corporation, municipality, town panchayat or village panchayat. Additional parameters such as the distance of the shop from bus stands, places of worship and educational institutions, along with average daily sales in terms of cases sold and revenue generated per day, have also been taken into consideration.

On Thursday, May 14, 2026, another circular was issued stating that strict action would be initiated against those selling liquor above the Maximum Retail Price (MRP). The department has directed officials to conduct surprise inspections across the state and has warned of stringent action against shops found violating the prescribed rules and pricing norms.

This is not the first instance of such action being initiated. Over the years, Tasmac has periodically instructed its teams to monitor and ensure that liquor outlets adhere to prescribed MRP norms. According to tipplers, some outlets have reportedly been charging an additional amount ranging between ₹10 and ₹20 per bottle above the MRP.

Three salesmen from different outlets shared their perspective on why additional charges are sometimes collected from customers. One of them said, “If bottles get damaged while unloading stock from vehicles, we are required to bear the cost at the MRP rate. During the summer season, beer bottles are also more prone to cracking or breaking, and the loss has to be absorbed by us. In addition, there are transportation and labour charges involved in moving stock from depots to shops, and these costs also have to be paid by us.”

A second salesman pointed out that salaries in TASMAC remain comparatively low when measured against neighbouring States such as Kerala. He said that a supervisor receives a salary of ₹16,850, which comes down to about ₹14,518 after deductions. Similarly, salesmen receive ₹14,530, with take-home pay reducing to around ₹12,477 after deductions, while assistant salesmen receive ₹13,340 and take home approximately ₹11,429 after deductions. The third salesman said that the government should call for a meeting with them and ask what challenges workers at Tasmac shops face.

Those working at Tasmac shops in Chennai region said that since the announcements were made, they have been facing difficult situations, with social media flooded with videos targeting outlets in various localities. Some salesmen alleged that youngsters have been filming them during liquor purchases and warning them of public exposure, which they said has been causing stress.

Meanwhile, the State government reaffirmed the 21- years limit for buying alcohol, in Tamil Nadu.