Chennai: Tipplers will have a reason to cheer come January 2019 as TASMAC is all set to go cashless to put an end to the sale of alcohol above maximum retail price (MRP) and prevent trade of fake liquor.
It is open knowledge many TASMAC shops in the State sell alcohol anywhere between Rs 10 and Rs 50 over and above the printed MRP. Moreover, it is common for the employees to charge extra for ‘cooling’ beer, even though TASMAC has given no directives as such to do so. TASMAC outlets also stay open beyond the prescribed time of 12 noon to 10 pm.
So, to curb such malpractices, The Tamilnadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC), a company owned by the State government with a monopoly of liquor sales here has decided to introduce swiping machines in all its retail outlets.
Officials from TASMAC said the tenders have been invited to submit bids for procuring the swiping machines. By the end of December, TASMAC will take steps to conduct workshops to teach employees how to use these machines. By January, all TASMAC outlets in the State will be equipped with the swiping machines, an official said.
The move is also expected to reduce the sale of illegal liquor in the State which has become a huge menace to the Prohibition Enforcement Wing of the Tamilnadu government.
Lately, the department has sealed illegal distilleries, seized vehicles carrying fake liquor bottles to the State and arrested TASMAC employees dealing in contraband liquor. The introduction of the swiping machines is also seen as a part of government’s push for digital transactions across all departments.