Tamil Nadu’s new TVK government has taken a major decision to overhaul the functioning of state-run liquor outlets (TASMAC), approving a 25% salary hike for employees working at these outlets under the Vijay-led government. This marks the first revision in nearly 20 years for this staff category. The government said the move aims to improve the functioning of state-run liquor shops and put an end to long-standing corruption allegations.
There have been persistent complaints of an extra ₹10 being charged per bottle from customers, and officials believe better pay will curb such illegal collections and boost accountability. Excise Minister Vignesh said the pay hike would remove employees’ need to extract extra money from the public, helping build public trust in the system.
This salary revision is part of a broader set of reforms the government is introducing at TASMAC. Earlier this year, on CM Joseph Vijay’s directions, 717 liquor shops located within 500 metres of prayer places such as temples, mosques and churches, as well as educational institutions and bus stands, were permanently shut, out of a total of 4,765 shops in the state.
The move has drawn praise across party lines — actor-politician Kamal Haasan welcomed the decision and called for further reduction in the number of liquor outlets statewide, while Congress MP Manickam Tagore backed the government, calling it a long-standing public demand that would bring greater safety for women and students. Alongside the liquor policy, the Vijay government has since coming to power rolled out several welfare measures, including free electricity for domestic consumers, a special force for women’s safety, and anti-drug units in every district.