Tamil Nadu cracks down on TASMAC shops' overcharging, repeat offenders to be sacked
The Tamil Nadu government has issued revised disciplinary guidelines to curb overcharging at state-run liquor outlets, following directions from the Madras High Court. Under the
The Tamil Nadu government has issued revised disciplinary guidelines to curb overcharging at state-run liquor outlets, following directions from the Madras High Court. Under the new rules, staff at Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) shops found selling liquor above the Maximum Retail Price will face stricter penalties, including permanent dismissal for repeat offences. Sources in TASMAC, the state monopoly that sells liquor in Tamil Nadu, said on Sunday that the fresh circular applies to shop supervisors, salesmen and assistant salesmen.
The move is aimed at addressing widespread consumer complaints about illegal mark-ups at retail outlets. Read Full Story Under the new guidelines, a first-time offender will face immediate suspension for one month, a mandatory fine and loss of pay for the suspension period. After returning to work, the employee will have to give a written undertaking that the violation will not be repeated and will be transferred to a low-sales shop in the district.
If the employee is caught overcharging a second time, the punishment will be tougher. The rules say the staff member will be suspended for three months without pay, fined, and then shifted to work in a liquor depot for at least three months. The harshest action has been kept for third-time offenders. Any staff member caught overcharging for a third time will be suspended at once and face a departmental inquiry.
If found guilty, the employee will be removed from service permanently. TASMAC management has asked district managers across Tamil Nadu to enforce the new rules strictly with immediate effect, as the corporation moves to act against overcharging at its retail outlets. Ends
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