Tamil Nadu to implement Rs 10 liquor environmental cess

Starting November 1, consumers in Tamil Nadu will pay an additional Rs 10 per bottle of liquor, beer, or wine as an Environmental and Social Welfare Cess. The state-run Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) will collect this fee to fund environmental protection and social welfare activities, including the recycling and safe disposal of liquor bottles.

Prohibition and Excise Minister K Vignesh stated that the new system aims to ensure transparency. The previous bottle buy-back scheme, where Rs 10 was collected separately and refunded upon returning empty bottles, was deemed improper because funds were not always properly accounted for in government records. A pilot study indicated that only 55% to 65% of bottles were being returned under the old system, compared to previous claims of 99%.

Under the new mandate, all transactions must go through government channels. TASMAC has directed manufacturers and wholesalers to adjust pricing structures and use QR codes for proper labeling. To maintain transparency, designated bank accounts have been established across five regional zones.