What Vijay Found In TASMAC: Alleged Party Funds And A Rs 16,000 Crore Revenue Leak
What Vijay Found In TASMAC: Alleged Party Funds And A Rs 16,000 Crore Revenue Leak Published By, Last Updated: June 08, 2026, 14:49 IST With
What Vijay Found In TASMAC: Alleged Party Funds And A Rs 16,000 Crore Revenue Leak Published By, Last Updated: June 08, 2026, 14:49 IST With nearly 88 lakh consumers purchasing liquor through TASMAC per month, estimates suggested that at least Rs 102 crore monthly was allegedly moving through unofficial channels. Vijay's Big Liquor Clean-Up: Tamil Nadu Probes Alleged ₹1,600 Crore TASMAC Leak The Tamil Nadu government led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay launched a major review of the functioning of the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC), focusing on alleged leakages, unofficial collections and so-called “party fund" practices. Senior government sources said Vijay directed officials to ensure that every rupee generated through liquor sales reaches the State treasury. According to officials, nearly Rs 102 crore was allegedly being diverted every month through unofficial collections within TASMAC operations. Government estimates suggest that nearly Rs 1,600 crore may have been siphoned away over the past five years. Focus on transparency The Chief Minister reportedly instructed officials to dismantle informal cash collection systems operating across TASMAC’s wholesale and retail network. Tamil Nadu currently has around 4,048 registered TASMAC outlets. The reforms are being overseen by Prohibition and Excise Minister K Vignesh. The Chief Minister made it clear in the Cabinet meeting that his government does not need revenue generated through corruption or through the suffering of people.
He instructed authorities to arrest leakages immediately and bring back people’s money to the treasury. Officials said the overhaul would cover procurement, warehouse dispatch, retail sales, bottle returns and shop-level collections. Collections under scanner Excise Department sources claimed unofficial collections had become embedded within the TASMAC supply chain over nearly two decades. According to officials, liquor cases of different bottle sizes allegedly carried unofficial collections. Sources claimed around Rs 90 per liquor case, Rs 40 per beer case and Rs 20 per wine case were allegedly collected as political or ministerial funds. Officials said these collections operated across warehouses, transport networks and retail outlets. With nearly 88 lakh consumers purchasing liquor through TASMAC every month, internal estimates suggested that at least Rs 102 crore monthly was allegedly moving through unofficial channels. Empty bottle scheme under review The government is also reviewing the Rs 10 empty-bottle deposit-and-buyback system followed at TASMAC outlets. Under the current system, customers pay an additional Rs 10 deposit for each bottle, which is refunded when the empty bottle is returned. Officials believe the arrangement created opportunities for unaccounted cash transactions. According to internal estimates, nearly one crore liquor bottles are sold every month. Officials claimed that only around 60 per cent of bottles were returned, leaving a large amount of deposits unaccounted for.
Sources estimated that irregularities linked to bottle-return collections may have involved nearly Rs 300 crore every month. The government is examining options including integrating the deposit into the MRP or introducing a digital refund mechanism. Vignesh said outsourced agencies would operate the bottle collection and buy-back system before the end of June. Shops shut, new levy introduced The TASMAC reforms are part of the TVK government’s broader anti-addiction agenda. One of Vijay’s first decisions as Chief Minister was ordering the closure of 717 TASMAC outlets located within 500 metres of schools, colleges, places of worship and bus stands. Officials estimate the closures could reduce annual liquor revenue by nearly Rs 8,000 crore. The government has also tightened age-verification checks and rules on liquor sales to those below 21 years. At the same time, the government has introduced an additional levy on liquor manufacturers. Indian-made foreign spirits manufacturers will pay an extra Rs 90 per standard case, beer manufacturers Rs 40 per case and wine manufacturers Rs 20 per case. Officials estimate the levy could generate nearly Rs 1,000 crore in additional annual revenue without increasing retail liquor prices. According to the Excise and Prohibition Policy Note for 2025-26, Tamil Nadu earned Rs 48,344 crore through excise duty and VAT on liquor sales during 2024-25.
Officials said Vijay’s message during the Cabinet meeting was clear taht the government revenue must reach the treasury and not flow through unofficial systems. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Shuddhanta Patra Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior Sub‑Editor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influen... Read More Location: Chennai [Madras], India, India First Published: June 08, 2026, 14:49 IST News india What Vijay Found In TASMAC: Alleged Party Funds And A Rs 16,000 Crore Revenue Leak Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
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