Tamil Nadu's Tasmac enforces suspensions and dismissals for liquor price violations

Tasmac, the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation, issued a circular on July 24 following a Madras High Court order to tighten penalties for staff selling liquor above the maximum retail price (MRP).

The framework imposes a one‑month suspension without pay, a fine and a written undertaking for a first offence, with the employee transferred to another shop in the same district. A second offence triggers a three‑month suspension, a higher fine and transfer to a different district for at least three months. A third offence results in suspension, a charge memorandum and possible dismissal after a departmental enquiry.

Fines range from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 per bottle for overcharges of Rs 1‑9 and Rs 10,000 for overcharges of Rs 10 or more. Salesmen bear 60 % of the fine and supervisors 40 %; if the supervisor is absent, the salesman pays the full amount. District managers must maintain registers of violations and record all disciplinary actions in employee service records.