Chennai: The Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac) board has approved the process of inviting fresh tenders for liquor bar licences across the state, as licences of existing bars are set to expire on October 31. The development comes alongside the board’s approval for introducing 20 new liquor brands in Tamil Nadu, although officials have not yet disclosed the names of the approved brands.
Around 2,700 liquor bars are currently operating alongside 4,048 Tasmac retail liquor outlets across Tamil Nadu. A senior Tasmac official said the corporation had issued revised procedures for operating bars last month, providing the framework for the upcoming licensing process.
The Tasmac board also discussed whether the total number of bars in the state should be increased following the introduction of the revised operating procedures. However, no final decision has been taken on increasing the number of liquor bars, according to officials. The immediate focus remains on renewing the licensing process through fresh tenders for outlets whose existing permissions are due to expire.
Although the board has cleared the process for issuing fresh bar licences, Tasmac is expected to invite applications only after the by-elections in the Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly constituencies are completed. Officials indicated that the process could move forward once the Model Code of Conduct currently in force for the elections comes to an end.
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Tasmac is currently holding discussions with selected distilleries and breweries, including Midas Golden Distilleries, regarding the introduction of the new brands in the state. The move is expected to expand the range of alcoholic beverages available through Tasmac outlets and address consumer demand for brands that are currently difficult to find in Tamil Nadu.
The introduction of new brands and the fresh bar licensing process are expected to be taken forward after the Model Code of Conduct for the by-elections ends. With existing bar licences due to expire on October 31, the upcoming tender process will be closely watched by liquor retailers and hospitality operators across the state.
The latest decisions come as Tasmac continues to review its liquor retail and bar operations, with the revised operating procedures, potential expansion of the bar network and addition of new beer and whisky brands likely to shape the state’s alcohol retail landscape in the coming months.
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