Panel to be formed soon to examine liquor retail models in other States, says the Minister for Prohibition and Excise

The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government has introduced a series of reforms in the state-run liquor retail system, from shutting down liquor outlets near schools and places of worship to cracking down on overcharging at Tasmac stalls and announcing a 25% salary hike for workers.

Its latest proposal is to constitute a high-level committee to examine the functioning of excise and liquor retail departments in other States with a view to implementing further reforms in Tamil Nadu.

Prohibition and Excise Minister K. Vignesh said: Hindu He said the committee would be established soon. “The committee will examine the functioning of excise departments in Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, among other states, including liquor supply, retail operations and service conditions of employees,” he said.

“Based on the findings, the government will take steps to meet the demands of employees,” he said. He added that the order to constitute the committee will be given on the instructions of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.

Tasmac, a major source of revenue for the Tamil Nadu government, operates 4,048 retail liquor outlets across the state. It generates revenue of around 150 million rupees from liquor sales every day through its retail network.