: The Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac) has implemented a salary hike for more than 22,000 contractual employees working at its retail liquor shops and depots across the state. The revised remuneration, which came into effect from September 1, 2026, will increase the monthly pay of eligible employees by more than ₹10,000, with the revised salaries to be calculated retrospectively from the effective date.
According to a circular issued by Tasmac Managing Director K Nanthakumar to senior regional managers, the monthly remuneration of supervisors has been increased by ₹10,710 to ₹33,023, while salesmen will receive an increase of ₹10,871, taking their monthly remuneration to ₹30,284. The remuneration of assistant salesmen has been increased by ₹10,755 to ₹28,680.
Under the revised salary structure, the employee’s contribution will be calculated at 12% of the enhanced wages, while the corresponding 12% employer contribution will be borne by Tasmac, as approved by the corporation’s board. The salary revision is part of a series of welfare measures announced for Tasmac employees.
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Tasmac workers have also been provided additional benefits, including a festival advance of up to ₹20,000 and ₹6,000 annually for three sets of uniforms, as announced in the Tamil Nadu Assembly by Prohibition Minister K Vignesh.
The salary revision comes alongside a tougher enforcement drive against liquor shops charging customers above the Maximum Retail Price (MRP). The government had announced the second salary revision within 100 days after the TVK government took over, while also warning Tasmac employees against overcharging liquor consumers.
Tasmac has already begun taking disciplinary action against employees found violating MRP rules. Despite these measures, complaints of overcharging continue to be received through Tasmac’s social media platforms and WhatsApp complaint channel. In Tiruvallur district alone, 165 Tasmac personnel were suspended within a week over alleged violations.
Tasmac sources said enforcement against MRP violations will be intensified from October 1, with special squads conducting surprise inspections at liquor retail outlets. The move is aimed at tightening monitoring and ensuring that liquor is sold to consumers at the prescribed MRP.
However, consumers continue to report problems at some Tasmac outlets, including alleged attempts to discourage digital payments. Customers have complained that some liquor shop personnel make customers using UPI or card payments wait in longer queues, while giving preference to those paying in cash.
Pandian C, a resident of Selaiyur, said a Tasmac outlet on Camp Road was not accepting UPI or card payments, with staff citing server issues. Such complaints have added to concerns over transparency and payment practices at liquor retail outlets.
With the revised salaries now in effect and stricter inspections planned from October, Tasmac is expected to step up action against employees found violating MRP rules or engaging in other irregularities at retail liquor shops.
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