In yet another effort to boost sales of TASMAC, the state-owned liquor marketing and sales company, the DMK government has installed an automated liquor machine in Chennai.
Finance Minister PTR Palanivel Thiagarajan stated in the Tamil Nadu budget speech that he estimates TASMAC, the Tamil Nadu government’s liquor sales company, to earn ₹50,000 crores in revenue for the fiscal year 2023-24, an increase of 5000 crores from the previous fiscal year.
Accordingly, the DMK government has been bringing changes to the government rules to ensure that sales of liquor increase in Tamil Nadu through TASMAC. A few days ago, the DMK government issued an order granting a special license to allow liquor service in conference halls, convention centers, marriage halls, banquet halls, sports stadiums, and household functions.
The F.L. 12 special license would be valid for one or more days. On payment of license fees, it would be issued by the Deputy Commissioner/Assistant Commissioner (Excise) with the Collector’s approval. This permit allows guests, visitors, and participants at international or national events to possess and serve liquor.
However, after facing severe backlash, the government was forced to withdraw its order allowing liquor to be served in marriage halls. The general public and the opposition parties criticized the DMK government for trying to turn everyone in Tamil Nadu into an alcoholic.
While the controversy surrounding allowing liquor to be served in marriage halls is yet to subside, the DMK government has come up with another innovative method to increase sales of liquor in Tamil Nadu. In this regard, TASMAC has installed automated liquor vending machines at the VR Mall in Koyambedu. It is set up in such a way that anyone can pay for and obtain the liquor. According to reports, the automated liquor machine was installed a week ago. It is said that the brand of liquor can be selected using a touch screen and paid for using a credit or debit card.
A video demonstrating how to obtain liquor from an automated machine of TASMAC has gone viral on social media, with many criticising the DMK government for selling liquor in a public mall.
(With inputs from ThanthiTV)
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