TASMAC Mandates Digital Payments for Liquor Sales Over Rs 1,000

The Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) has mandated digital payments for retail liquor sales exceeding Rs 1,000, effective November 1. This directive, announced by a senior official on Tuesday citing an official circular, aims to enhance transparency and operational efficiency across the state's 4,048 retail liquor shops. While UPI, debit, and credit card options exist, a significant majority of transactions have historically been cash-based.

The move addresses several operational hurdles associated with large cash volumes, including safety risks during transit, potential account discrepancies, and the threat of counterfeit currency. Additionally, the state administration has received repeated public complaints regarding overcharging above the Maximum Retail Price (MRP). Digital payment systems are expected to combat this by logging every transaction in real time with precise timestamps and amounts, directly crediting sales revenue into official bank accounts.

The digital payment mandate will be implemented in phases, with the initial phase starting November 1 for single purchases over Rs 1,000. Customers buying within this limit retain the option of cash or digital payment. To ensure strict control, TASMAC has explicitly banned staff from accepting payments via personal QR codes or individual bank accounts, warning of severe disciplinary action for violations. Outlet supervisors are also instructed to issue physical bills and verify transactions on official POS machines. District managers are tasked with auditing POS machinery, ensuring network connectivity, and conducting weekly reviews to oversee the transition, with shops displaying 2x3 feet notice boards informing customers of the new rules.

What to watch: The effectiveness of the phased digital payment rollout in curbing overcharging and improving operational transparency.

Editor's note: The article is comprehensive, accurately reflecting all key details from the source, including the mandate threshold, implementation date, and operational oversight.