Tamil Nadu’s Prohibition and Excise Minister Vignesh clarified that there are no plans to privatize the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC). He emphasized the government’s commitment to managing liquor sales through the state-run network. Vignesh defended the closure of 717 TASMAC outlets by the current government, highlighting their significant revenue generation.
The closure of these liquor shops, which were major revenue sources, has reportedly led to an annual revenue loss estimated between Rs 7,000 crore and Rs 8,000 crore. Despite the financial impact, the government stands by its decision as part of its policy objectives. The shutdown of these outlets is part of a phased strategy to reduce the number of liquor shops in Tamil Nadu and address concerns related to alcohol consumption.
Vignesh also criticized the previous administration, alleging irregularities in TASMAC’s operations. He mentioned ongoing reviews of TASMAC’s functioning and hinted at possible further actions against outlets based on revenue performance, compliance issues, and policy priorities. The minister assured transparency in dealing with any discovered irregularities and emphasized the government’s commitment to public accountability.
