As complaints against the collection of more money than the maximum retail price (MRP) by the employees of the Tasmac liquor shops have become topical, S. Muthusamy, the Minister in-charge of Prohibition, Excise, and Molasses, warned the staff on Monday that they would be suspended if they charge the customers more than the MRP.
The Minister, who visited Tasmac shops in Erode district, said it was a major issue and would take some time to find a permanent solution.
Asked whether low salary was the root cause of the problem, he said employees also faced a lot of issues related to rental of the building in which the shop functions and payment of electricity bill.
“We had a meeting with the employees’ unions and we are studying all the issues connected with the running of Tasmac liquor shops. It cannot be resolved in a day. It will take some time and we will certainly achieve it,” he said.
The Minister said while the government had no plans to introduce new brands of liquor for sale, there was a proposal to introduce liquor in tetra pack. “But we have to wait till a verdict in a case which is pending in the court. The disposable tetra packs are already used in many States and can prevent adulteration,” he said.
