Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac) will raise the monthly maintenance allowance for its retail liquor shops from Rs 750 to as much as Rs 5,000 from October 1, while warning employees against collecting money above the maximum retail price (MRP). The revised provision is intended to improve cleanliness, drinking-water access and basic conditions at outlets across the state.
The decision was communicated through a circular issued by Tasmac managing director K Nanthakumar on September 29. It follows welfare measures announced by prohibition and excise minister K Vignesh in the Tamil Nadu assembly on August 31. Tasmac had also revised the salaries of retail shop employees from September 1 and announced an annual Rs 6,000 allowance for three sets of uniforms, along with a Rs 20,000 festival advance.
The monthly petty-cash arrangement, introduced in 2003 to meet minor day-to-day expenses at retail outlets, will be replaced by the higher maintenance allocation. Shops located in corporation areas will receive Rs 5,000 a month, while outlets in municipalities and town panchayats will receive Rs 4,000. Shops in rural and village panchayat areas will receive Rs 3,000.
The amount will be credited each month along with the salary of the shop supervisor. For October, the maintenance allocation will be released on September 30 along with the September salary. The funds are to be used primarily for maintaining the shop and its immediate surroundings, including daily cleaning of the premises and counter area.
Supervisors can use the allocation to buy brooms, cleaning agents, disinfectants, phenyl, waste bins, garbage bags and other cleaning consumables. The money can also be used to provide drinking water through water cans, a water dispenser or a pot, including the cost of drinking water. Other basic amenities required by employees and consumers may also be paid for from the provision.
The revised system specifically excludes shop rent, electricity charges, building repairs, furniture, equipment and capital items. Expenses for which a separate provision already exists cannot be charged to the maintenance allocation. This distinction is intended to limit the use of the funds to routine upkeep and basic facilities rather than larger operational or infrastructure costs.
The change comes against the backdrop of persistent complaints that Tasmac personnel collect amounts above the MRP from liquor buyers. Employees have cited maintenance expenses as one reason for seeking additional money. The government has warned that staff found violating MRP norms could face suspension, with repeat violations attracting dismissal.
Supervisors will have to maintain a monthly expenditure register and preserve bills, vouchers and receipts for three years. The records will be open to inspection by district managers as well as internal or statutory auditors, creating a formal reporting trail for the increased allocation.
Tasmac has also approved annual indexation of the maintenance provision at 5 per cent, with the revised amount rounded to the nearest Rs 100. The first revision is scheduled for April 1, 2027, and the head office will notify the revised rates each year.
