In a first of this kind in the world, Tamil Nadu Government’s Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) for honouring its officials for their revenue-generating activities at the Republic Day celebrations in Karur has triggered a row. It has now been withdrawn following condemnation from all quarters.
On the eve of Republic Day, the Central and State Governments used to honour social activists, Musicians, film, literature, sportspersons, politicians, policemen, and defence personnel for their best performance, gallantry and meritorious services. This is to honour, appreciate and recognise them for their exemplary performance in their chosen field and to encourage them to sustain the same spirit.
The general public and political parties like PMK, and BJP have been demanding total prohibition in the State. Both DMK and AIADMK promised to phase out liquor shops in the State. But it only remained on paper.
In Tamil Nadu, Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IFML) is being sold by the State Government through its TASMAS outlets. This is a milking cow for the Tamil Nadu Government. This is one of the prime and paramount sources of income for the cash-strapped, debt-ridden Tamil Nadu Government. During Diwali, Christmas, New Year, and Pongal festivals, the sale record an all-time high year after year. It was indeed a happy Diwali (2022) for Tasmac as liquor sales recorded approximately 256 crores across the State, while the three-day weekend collection crossed 720 crores. This year during the Pongal festival, it ticked a sale of whopping over 800 crores all over the State. It procures liquors from the units run by politicians of both Dravidian parties.
Since the takeover by the government, TASMAC has seen annual revenue of growth of around 20 per cent every year. The turnover in 1983 (the year of incorporation) was Rs 183 crores. As per the data available on its website, TASMAC has had a steady growth in its sales turnover over the years, starting at Rs 139.41 crores in 1983- 84, it increased to Rs 7335.00 crores in 2005-06. Tamil Nadu Government has earned Rs 36,013.14 crores from TASMAC which included Rs 12,125 crores of Excise revenue and Rs 9,555.36 crores of VAT(sales tax) during 2021-22. It is the biggest in its history. There have been consistent complaints from tipplers that ten to twenty rupees being overcharged per bottle.
Despite court orders, it is still being sold above the MRP rates, no bill board indicating its prices, and no cash bills are being issued to consumers. The salesmen say it is being shared by all including people at top. A rough calculation shows several crores, which is alleged, being pocketed by all involved in this trade, including political masters at the helm.
Back to the point, in a first of this kind, Karur District Collector T Prabhushankar presented appreciation certificates to P Shanmugavel, District Manager, Tasmac, Sivakumar and Arumugam, supervisors, and Krishnamurthy, salesman. The TASMAC officials were honoured for revenue-generating activities.
According to the certificate, the employees were recognised for their exemplary work in generating revenue for the State-owned Tasmac. The appreciation certificates were widely shared on social media, primarily by those expressing their dissatisfaction with the State government setting targets for increasing revenue by selling liquor through Tasmac outlets. They said it was appropriate to honour TASMAC employees during the Republic Day celebration for increasing TASMAC sales. After receiving backlash, the DMK government withdrew the certificates of appreciation given to four TASMAC employees.
It has now been reported that the phrase “certificate for generating more revenues for TASMAC” was replaced with “certificate of appreciation for excellent work in TASMAC administration” and the certificates have been returned to the four TASMAC employees.
On the one hand, the government creates awareness that liquor consumption is injurious to health, like smoking. It does not make the person addicted, besides spoiling his health and family relations. The root cause for most fatal road accidents is drunken driving. Penalties have been hiked manifold besides impounding the vehicles as it is now made a serious offence. The State Government, instead of reducing the sales outlet and educating the mass to keep away from liquor, is encouraging and fixing targets for liquor sales, showing it is not bothered for people but for the revenue it generates.
