T.N. govt. hikes Tasmac employees’ salaries by 25%,

The Tamil Nadu government has increased the salaries of employees of the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac) by nearly 25% and extended the licences of bars attached to liquor retail outlets across Tamil Nadu by two months, Minister for Prohibition and Excise K. Vignesh said on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat, the Minister said the monthly salary of Assistant Salesmen will be increased from ₹14,030 to ₹17,925, Salesmen from ₹15,530 to ₹19,413, and Supervisors from ₹17,850 to ₹22,313. This will entail an additional expenditure of ₹110.74 crore for the government. The State government has allocated ₹550.72 crore towards salaries.

The Tasmac employees have been demanding ESI coverage to meet their health-related needs for the past 20 years. The Chief Minister has directed that ESI benefits be extended to them, Mr. Vignesh said. Further, steps are being taken to resolve issues raised by TASMAC employees, including wages for unloading liquor cases at retail outlets, electricity bill issues and rental issues, he said.

These measures are being taken to effectively curb the practice of overcharging ₹10 above the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) at Tasmac retail outlets. “If liquor is sold above the MRP, strict action, including dismissal from service, will be taken,” Mr. Vignesh said, adding that a total of 40 persons have been placed under suspension in the last two months on the charges of selling liquor above the MRP.

The Minister also said the licences of nearly 2,320 bars attached to liquor retail outlets across Tamil Nadu have been extended for another two months. “It may take another 15 to 20 days to float fresh tenders, and the entire process is likely to take another three to four weeks,” he said.