In the run-up to the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections later this year, the ruling DMK government under Chief Minister M.K. Stalin distributed a ₹3,000 cash Pongal gift to over 2.22 crore rice ration card holders, along with traditional hampers including rice, sugar, sugarcane, dhotis, and sarees. The scheme, announced in early January and rolled out through fair price shops, cost the exchequer approximately ₹6,900 crore for the cash component alone, with additional expenses for the hampers pushing the total welfare outlay higher.
However, coinciding with the festive celebrations, Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) outlets reported massive liquor sales. Official figures indicate that in just two days around the Pongal festival period, alcohol worth ₹518 crore was sold across the state’s 4,829 TASMAC shops. This marks a significant revenue spike, with reports noting that sales in those two days alone approached levels seen over four days in the previous year’s Pongal season (₹725 crore over four days).
Leaders from the AIADMK and PMK, have pointed out that while the state provides direct cash assistance to celebrate the harvest festival, a substantial portion of that money may indirectly flow back into government coffers through increased liquor consumption during the festivities.
AIADMK leaders have repeatedly accused the DMK of relying heavily on TASMAC revenues—often described as a key pillar of the state’s finances—to fund populist schemes.
BJP Tamil Nadu President Nainar Nagendran slammed the DMK government saying “It is a grim irony that under Chief Minister MK Stalin, who once released an emotional video declaring, “Let us create a liquor-free Tamil Nadu,” alcohol sales during Pongal alone crossed ₹518 crore.
Since the DMK assumed power, this TASMAC-first model of governance has turned every festival season into a revenue bonanza built on liquor sales. From Pongal to local celebrations, alcohol has become the state’s default cash cow — to the extent that one wonders whether any celebration is now complete without the stench of arrack.”
He said that it wouldn’t be surprising at all if reports emerge that the numbers on the rupee notes handed out for Pongal match exactly those collected at TASMAC.
“After beating the drum across the state promising ₹3000 for Pongal, the DMK government’s intelligence in collecting that money right back through TASMAC outlets brings to mind that classic wisecrack: “Idhuku paruthimoota Godown-liye irundhurkalame!” (a comical reference from a Tamil film).
உழவர் திருநாளன்று கூட உறுத்தாமல் ஊருக்கே ஊற்றிக் கொடுத்துள்ளது @arivalayam அரசு!
“போதையில்லா தமிழகத்தை உருவாக்குவோம்” என உருகி உருகி காணொளி வெளியிட்ட முதல்வர் திரு. @mkstalin அவர்களின் ஆட்சியில், பொங்கல் பண்டிகையையொட்டி தமிழகத்தில் சுமார் ரூ. 518 கோடிக்கும் அதிகமாக மது விற்பனை… pic.twitter.com/2JRYtnQ7AA
— Nainar Nagenthran (@NainarBJP) January 17, 2026
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