TASMAC suspends 245 supervisors as employees strike over bottle return scheme
The state-run liquor corporation issued show-cause notices to 1,729 staff members following widespread outlet closures across Tamil Nadu.
The Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) has suspended 245 shop supervisors and issued show-cause notices to 1,729 staff members as employees continued a strike that kept liquor outlets closed for two consecutive days. According to ThePrint, the administrative action spans multiple regions, including Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Salem, and Trichy.
The employees are protesting a revised environmental and social welfare cess, which includes an additional Rs 10 per bottle as part of a buyback scheme. The Madras High Court had previously directed TASMAC to implement this bottle-return mechanism to ensure proper disposal and reduce pollution.
Workers have raised concerns regarding increased workloads, such as scanning bottles during sales and returns, as well as inadequate equipment and storage space for empty bottles. They also cited a lack of basic facilities, including toilets, at several outlets.
In the Chennai region, 169 suspensions were recorded out of 341 show-cause notices. Other significant actions included 459 notices in the Salem region and 418 notices in the Tiruchirappalli region. In the Madurai region, 475 notices were issued.
Prohibition and Excise Minister K Vignesh warned that the government would not tolerate the unauthorised closure of TASMAC outlets. The TASMAC administration stated that strict disciplinary measures will continue to ensure accountability and that unauthorised closures disrupt public service norms.