TASMAC Makes Digital Payments Mandatory for Liquor Purchases Above ₹1,000 From November 1

The Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) will make digital payments mandatory for liquor purchases exceeding ₹1,000 at its retail outlets from November 1, as part of a phased reform aimed at curbing overcharging, reducing cash handling and improving financial transparency.

The threshold will be lowered further from January 1, 2027, when customers making purchases above ₹500 will be required to pay digitally. The changes will apply across TASMAC’s network of 4,048 retail shops.

Under the new system, digital transactions will generate records that can help the corporation monitor sales, identify accounting discrepancies and investigate customer complaints.

UPI, debit and credit cards to be accepted

In a circular issued on Monday, TASMAC Managing Director K. Nanthakumar directed district managers to prepare retail outlets for the rollout.

Payments through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), debit cards and credit cards must be processed through point-of-sale (POS) machines linked to the corporation’s designated bank account.

Employees have been prohibited from accepting payments through personal UPI IDs, individual QR codes or private bank accounts. All digital payments must pass through the authorised system to ensure that the proceeds are credited directly to TASMAC’s account.

The corporation cited the challenges associated with handling large volumes of cash, potential accounting discrepancies and the additional workload on employees as reasons for expanding digital payment facilities.

Move aims to curb overcharging

The reform comes amid complaints that customers are sometimes charged more than the maximum retail price (MRP) printed on liquor bottles.

Under the new instructions, employees must issue a bill for every purchase and ensure that customers are charged the applicable MRP.

District managers have been directed to check that POS machines are operational and arrange training for staff on processing digital transactions and reconciling payments.

Retail outlets must also display notices measuring two feet by three feet explaining the payment arrangements to customers.

Supervisors have been instructed to report complaints and violations, including allegations of overcharging, promptly to district managers for further action.

Inspections and monthly compliance reports

TASMAC will monitor the implementation through inspections by district managers and officials from its head office. Monthly reports will be required to assess compliance with the circular and the functioning of the digital payment system across outlets.

Customers who face overcharging or other irregularities can register complaints through TASMAC’s toll-free helpline at 1800 889 2015.

The phased rollout is intended to reduce reliance on cash transactions while strengthening accountability and creating a clearer record of purchases at Tamil Nadu’s state-run liquor retail outlets.