TASMAC Suspends 245 Supervisors Amid Tamil Nadu Staff Strike

Tamil Nadu’s state-run liquor retailer, TASMAC, has suspended 245 shop supervisors and issued show-cause notices to 1,729 employees after most of its outlets remained closed for the second consecutive day amid a staff strike. The action follows widespread disruption to liquor sales across the state, with employees protesting against an additional ₹10 cess on liquor bottles under a newly introduced buyback scheme.

According to a report by the Press Trust of India (PTI), the disciplinary action covers several regions, including Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Salem and Tiruchirappalli. TASMAC has said that unauthorised closure of retail outlets disrupted public services and warned that action would continue against employees found responsible.

Why Are TASMAC Employees on Strike?

The strike has been triggered by opposition to a newly introduced environmental and social welfare cess. Under the buyback scheme, consumers are required to pay an additional ₹10 per liquor bottle.

Employees have protested against the new arrangement, resulting in widespread closure of TASMAC outlets. Most liquor shops across Tamil Nadu remained shut for a second consecutive day on Monday, affecting retail operations and sales.

The corporation has treated the unauthorised closure of outlets as a disciplinary matter and initiated action against employees accused of disrupting operations.

TASMAC Issues 1,729 Notices and Suspends 245 Supervisors

A senior TASMAC official told PTI on Tuesday that the corporation had issued 1,729 show-cause notices and suspended 245 shop supervisors across different regions.

Of the total notices, 931 were issued on November 1, followed by another 798 on November 2. The action covered employees in multiple districts, with Chennai, Salem, Tiruchirappalli and Madurai accounting for substantial numbers.

Chennai Region Records 169 Suspensions

The Chennai region accounted for 341 show-cause notices and 169 suspensions, making it the region with the highest reported number of suspensions.

The suspension figures included:

• Thiruvallur East: 61 suspensions.
• Chennai Central: 50 suspensions.
• Chennai North: 58 suspensions.

The figures indicate that disciplinary action was spread across different parts of the Chennai region as the strike disrupted liquor shop operations.

Salem Region Issues 459 Show-Cause Notices

The Salem region recorded 459 show-cause notices, including 155 in Salem district and 153 in Namakkal district.

Krishnagiri district accounted for 75 suspensions. The action forms part of TASMAC’s wider effort to address the closure of retail outlets during the employee protest.

Tiruchirappalli Region Accounts for 418 Notices

The Tiruchirappalli region issued 418 show-cause notices to employees. Of these, 185 were issued in Tiruchirappalli district and 175 in Pudukkottai district.

The region was among those affected by the strike, which resulted in the closure of a large number of TASMAC shops.

Madurai Region Records 475 Notices

The Madurai region accounted for 475 show-cause notices, the highest regional total reported in the disciplinary action.

The district-wise figures included:

• Tirunelveli: 247 notices.
• Madurai North: 120 notices.
• Theni: 101 notices.

The notices were issued as part of the corporation’s response to the continued disruption of retail operations.

TASMAC Says Action Will Continue Against Unauthorised Closures

The TASMAC administration has maintained that the unauthorised closure of retail outlets disrupted public services. It has initiated disciplinary proceedings against employees found responsible for shutting shops during the strike.

With most outlets remaining closed for the second consecutive day, the corporation’s action has brought the dispute between the management and employees into sharper focus. The protests centre on the additional ₹10 bottle cess under the buyback scheme, while TASMAC has emphasised the need to maintain normal retail operations.

The corporation has indicated that disciplinary action will continue against employees found responsible for unauthorised closures as the strike disrupts liquor sales across Tamil Nadu.