As Tamil Nadu gears up for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, liquor aficionados have rushed to stock up, leading to a surge in sales at Tasmac liquor shops across the state. With Tasmac announcing a temporary closure of its outlets from Wednesday to Friday as part of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and election schedule, consumers have flocked to make last-minute purchases, resulting in single-day sales on Tuesday alone crossing a staggering Rs 200 crore.Sources from the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac), the sole agency authorized to sell liquor in the state, revealed that the average daily liquor sales hover around Rs 125 crore. However, the anticipation of a three-day closure has prompted a spike in demand, with many consumers rushing to stockpile their favorite beverages.
A senior Tasmac official shed light on the typical weekend sales, indicating that combined sales on Saturdays and Sundays often exceed Rs 300 crore. While exact figures for Tuesday’s sales were not immediately available, the official confirmed that they had surpassed the Rs 200 crore mark, underscoring the unprecedented demand witnessed ahead of the temporary shutdown.
With strict directives from the Election Commission of India in place, the Home, Prohibition, and Excise Department have enforced measures to ensure compliance with the election regulations. As a result, liquor sales will remain suspended until polling day on June 19, with Tasmac outlets also observing closure on June 21, Sunday, in observance of Mahavir Jayanti.
Additionally, the official announced that liquor sales will be halted on May 1, Labor Day, further highlighting the periodic closures mandated by regulatory authorities.