Tamil Nadu: Why is Chennai making digital payments mandatory for liquor purchases above ₹1,000 from November 1?
The Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac), which currently operates 4,048 retail liquor shops, is pushing for greater transparency, stronger financial accountability, and operational efficiency.
From November 1, 2024, liquor buyers in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, will be required to use digital payments for purchases exceeding ₹1,000, while those under ₹500 can still pay in cash or via digital methods. Tasmac, the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation, is implementing this change to enhance transparency, financial accountability, and operational efficiency.
Multiple complaints about retailers charging prices above the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) prompted this move, as digital payments would record transactions in real-time, preventing overcharging and ensuring revenue transfers directly to official bank accounts. While UPI, debit, and credit card options are already available, most transactions currently involve cash, which creates safety risks for shop staff, such as operational hurdles, account discrepancies, and the risk of counterfeit currency.
To enforce this, Tasmac will display notice boards at all outlets, and district managers will oversee preparations, audit point-of-sale machines, ensure network connectivity, and conduct weekly reviews. Violations will result in disciplinary action against employees.
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