After 23 years, is Vijay planning to hand liquor sales to private players?
Speculation is mounting that the Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government is considering privatising Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) liquor outlets in corporations and
Speculation is mounting that the Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government is considering privatising Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) liquor outlets in corporations and municipalities. If implemented, the move would mark the state's first major shift towards private liquor retail since 2003, when the AIADMK government brought liquor sales under the state-run TASMAC. While the government has made no official announcement on the proposal, political circles are abuzz with reports that legislation paving the way for the move could be introduced in the upcoming Assembly session. Opposition parties have alleged that the Vijay government is preparing to privatise TASMAC operations, arguing that such a move would increase alcohol consumption rather than advance the long-stated goal of prohibition. Read Full Story The reported proposal has drawn sharp criticism from Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) president Anbumani Ramadoss, who warned that privatising government-run liquor outlets would only fuel alcohol consumption and undermine the objective of prohibition.
In a statement, Anbumani referred to media reports claiming that nearly 2,500 of Tamil Nadu's 4,048 TASMAC outlets, largely located in urban areas, could be handed over to private operators. "If these reports are true, the government's decision deserves strong condemnation," he said. He argued that the state's focus should be on the phased closure of liquor shops and the eventual implementation of total prohibition, rather than privatisation. "It is indeed shameful for the government to engage in liquor sales. However, the solution is to close all liquor shops and enforce complete prohibition—not to hand over liquor retail to private players," he said. Anbumani also dismissed the reported rationale that privatisation was being considered because the government had failed to curb overpricing at TASMAC outlets, describing it as "akin to burning down a house out of fear of bedbugs." Recalling Tamil Nadu's experience before TASMAC took over liquor retail in 2003, the PMK leader alleged that private liquor shops were then plagued by widespread irregularities, including unauthorised outlets, licence violations and the sale of illicit liquor.
"Reversing that decision after 23 years and returning to the old system cannot be called a reform; it would instead amount to a serious regression," he said. He further claimed that reports of a lobby advocating the privatisation of liquor retail and the procurement of liquor from other states had surfaced soon after the TVK government assumed office. According to him, supporters of prohibition had believed such a move would not materialise because Chief Minister Vijay had repeatedly asserted that key policy decisions would remain under his direct control. The reported proposal comes even as the government recently tightened disciplinary norms for TASMAC employees following directions from the Madras High Court. The revised rules prescribe stringent action against employees found charging customers above the Maximum Retail Price (MRP), including dismissal from service for repeat offenders.
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