Digital Payments Mandatory at Tamil Nadu Liquor Stores in Phases
Chennai, October 27: Liquor purchases above Rs 1,000 at Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) outlets will require digital payment starting November 1. The corporation's new payment reforms will be enforced step by step across its 4,048 retail outlets to deal with excess pricing and improve financial accountability.
The next stage will take effect on January 1, 2027, making digital payment mandatory for bills above Rs 500. The objective is to limit cash dealings at shops and build transaction records that can help identify irregularities and speed up the resolution of customer complaints.
In a circular released on Monday, TASMAC Managing Director K. Nanthakumar asked district managers to prepare retail outlets for the changeover. Payments through UPI, debit cards and credit cards should be routed only through point-of-sale machines associated with the corporation's authorised bank account.
Employees have been firmly directed not to accept payments through their personal UPI IDs, personal QR codes or private bank accounts. According to the order, all digital transactions must be processed via an authorised payment system so that sales revenue flows straight into the corporation's account.
Authorities have pointed to several concerns behind the expansion of digital transactions, including risks linked to handling large cash volumes, possible accounting errors and the added workload on staff.
By depending less on cash, the corporation hopes to fix these operational issues and bring clarity to everyday sales. The decision was taken after complaints that customers were being charged above the maximum retail price (MRP) of liquor bottles.
The instructions require employees to issue a bill for every purchase and confirm that the money collected corresponds to the applicable MRP. District managers must check that POS machines are operating properly and arrange training for staff on digital payment handling and transaction reconciliation. Shops must also display a 2x3 feet notice informing customers about the payment system.
Supervisors must promptly bring instances of overcharging and rule breaches to the notice of district managers. This reporting process is part of a monitoring system being put in place across the entire retail chain.
The implementation will be reviewed through inspections carried out by district managers and officials at TASMAC headquarters. Monthly monitoring reports are now compulsory to track whether the circular is being followed and how payment systems are performing at outlets.
Customers facing overcharging or other irregularities may file complaints on the TASMAC toll-free helpline 1800 889 2015, allowing the corporation to take notice and pursue corrective action.