Tamil Nadu orders overhaul of TASMAC bottle buyback scheme

The Madras High Court directed the Tamil Nadu government to revamp the TASMAC empty‑bottle buy‑back programme. The court ordered that the additional Rs 10 deposit charged for each returned bottle must be clearly displayed on customers’ receipts, and that the revised scheme be fully implemented across all districts except three. The bench also instructed officials to submit a detailed report on the changes within eight weeks, with the next hearing set for July 10. Advocate General Vijay Narayanan stated that the scheme is already operating successfully in most districts and that the government plans a comprehensive redesign to address operational issues and prevent misuse of the deposit charge.

These measures aim to reduce environmental impact from alcohol‑store plastic waste and improve transparency for consumers.