CHENNAI: In a major relief to over 23,000 employees of the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac), the state government on Tuesday announced a 25% salary hike for them from next month. The happy news came with a fresh warning to the employees as the government said that those selling liquor above the maximum retail price (MRP) would face stringent disciplinary action, including dismissal from service, for repeated violations.
Making the announcement at the secretariat, Prohibition and Excise Minister K Vignesh said the wage revision was approved after Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay accepted the employees’ long-pending demand. With the wage hike, the monthly salary of assistant salesmen will increase from Rs 14,340 to Rs 17,925, salesmen’s pay will rise from Rs 15,530 to Rs 19,413, and that of supervisors from Rs 17,850 to Rs 22,313.
Noting that the highest wage revision ever granted to Tasmac employees in the past was only around Rs 2,000, Vignesh said the government has now decided to provide a substantial increase considering their representations. The revision would impose an additional annual burden of Rs 110.74 crore on the state exchequer, taking the total annual salary expenditure for Tasmac employees to Rs 553.72 crore, he added.
Vignesh also announced that the government has accepted another long-pending demand for Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) medical coverage, which had remained unresolved for nearly 20 years. Tasmac employees and their family members will now be covered under the ESI medical insurance scheme, he said.
Liquor should be sold only at govt-notified MRP: Min
Referring to complaints of liquor being sold above the MRP, the minister said the government has been taking continuous action against employees who collect additional Rs 10 from customers. During discussions, employees had sought a wage revision, arguing that better salaries would reduce the pressure to resort to such illegal practices.
Employees had also highlighted operational issues, including bearing the cost of unloading liquor cartons, paying electricity charges and problems relating to shop rentals. Addressing these concerns, Vignesh said, transport agencies would be entrusted with the responsibility of unloading liquor cartons at retail outlets.
A separate mechanism for payment of electricity charges would be introduced shortly, while issues relating to shop rentals would also be examined and resolved. Stressing that the government expected greater accountability from employees in return for the enhanced benefits, he added, “Liquor should be sold strictly at the government-notified MRP. Repeated violations would invite dismissal from service.”
The minister also clarified that the salary hike would not result in any increase in liquor prices and said the government’s objective was to reform Tasmac administration and ensure transparency. He warned that licences of FL-3 establishments, including pubs, would be cancelled if persons below 21 years are allowed entry.
Separately, the minister extended existing bar licences attached to Tasmac retail outlets by two months until fresh licences are issued. Meanwhile, Tasmac Employees Association welcomed the salary hike but urged the government to implement its other demands.
