The TVK government in Tamil Nadu in a big move approved a 25% salary hike for employees working at TASMAC liquor outlets. It is the first hike in 20 years- an effort by the government to improve the functioning of state-run liquor stores. It aims at curbing corruption and preventing customers from being charged extra for liquor bottles.
According to the government, the salary revision is expected to discourage the practice of collecting an additional 10 per bottle from customers, a complaint that has frequently surfaced at TASMAC outlets.
Explaining the decision, Minister Vignesh said the salary increase would ensure that employees no longer resort to charging customers more than the prescribed price. The government claims better wages will reduce corruption and improve accountability across TASMAC shops.
The revised pay structure is expected to improve employee welfare while addressing long-standing complaints of overcharging. Further details on its implementation are awaited.
The announcement comes months after Chief Minister Joseph Vijay ordered the closure of 717 TASMAC liquor outlets operating within 500 metres of places of worship, educational institutions and bus stands. The closures were projected by the government as a social reform measure to reduce easy access to liquor in sensitive public spaces.
The salary hike is the latest in a series of policy decisions announced by the TVK government after assuming office, besides measures such as free electricity for domestic consumers, a dedicated women’s safety force and anti-drug units in every district.