The Tamil Nadu administration has approved a 25 percent pay increase for workers at state-run TASMAC liquor stores. Officials stated the change seeks to limit corruption and stop extra charges being added to bottle prices for buyers.
This step forms part of ongoing efforts to improve operations at government liquor outlets. The pay adjustment is intended to end the common practice of collecting an extra ten rupees per bottle, an issue often reported at these shops.
Minister Vignesh noted that the raise will stop staff from asking customers to pay above the set rate. Better compensation is expected to lower corrupt practices and raise responsibility levels at all TASMAC locations.
He added that no similar pay revision had taken place for these employees over the past twenty years. The new structure aims to boost staff conditions and tackle repeated complaints about overcharging. Implementation details remain under review.
The announcement follows an earlier order by Chief Minister Joseph Vijay to shut 717 TASMAC outlets located within 500 meters of religious sites, schools, and transport hubs. Tamil Nadu operates 4,765 such stores in total, with the closed units including 276 near places of worship, 186 near schools, and 255 near bus stands.
The closures were presented as a step to limit liquor access in key public areas. The policy received backing from various political figures. Actor-politician Kamal Haasan supported further reductions in shop numbers and stronger oversight of alcohol sales. Congress MP Manickam Tagore described it as fulfilling a public request that would enhance safety for women, students, and residents.
The salary revision continues a series of recent measures by the administration, which also include free domestic power supply, a special women’s protection unit, and district-level anti-narcotics teams.
