Tasmac staff return to work after two-day strike in Tamil Nadu
The state-run liquor corporation suspended 245 supervisors and issued show-cause notices to 1,729 employees following the protest.
Tasmac employees returned to work on Tuesday after a two-day strike, with 3,991 of the state's 4,051 retail outlets opening for business, according to The New Indian Express. The protest was held over a revised empty-bottle return mechanism involving a new Rs 10 levy per bottle for environmental and social welfare purposes.
The Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac) has taken disciplinary action against staff involved in the closure of outlets. A senior official stated that 245 shop supervisors were suspended and 1,729 employees received show-cause notices.
In the Chennai region, 169 suspensions were recorded out of 341 notices. This included 61 suspensions in Thiruvallur (East), 50 in Chennai (Central), and 58 in Chennai (North).
Other regional actions included 75 suspensions in Krishnagiri and 185 suspensions in Tiruchirappalli district. In the Madurai region, 475 notices were issued, covering Tirunelveli, Madurai North, and Theni. The Salem region saw 459 notices, including 155 in Salem and 153 in Namakkal.
Excise Minister K Vignesh told reporters in Coimbatore that the show-cause notices seek explanations from employees for participating in the strike. He noted that 36 supervisors in the Coimbatore region received notices, while Madurai and Tiruchy regions saw 475 and 418 notices respectively.
Tasmac officials said that unauthorised closures violate public service norms. To ensure uninterrupted operations, staff from outlets with extra personnel will be moved to shops where supervisors have been suspended.