Tasmac issues stern warning against sale of liquor over MRP

Chennai: In the latest in a series of circulars from Tasmac, salesmen at liquor retail outlets have been warned against charging over the maximum retail price (MRP). The corporation said it had received multiple complaints of overcharging and warned of disciplinary action against salesmen and district managers if they failed to curb the practice. Videos of customers alleging MRP violations have gone viral in recent days.Senior regional managers, district managers and flying squads have been instructed to follow SOPs for resolving complaints of MRP violations. District managers must issue show-cause notices to supervisors and salesmen of any shop reported to be overcharging and suspend them.MRP violations were among key issues raised by chief minister C Joseph Vijay during the election campaign in Karur, when he accused former prohibition and excise minister V Senthilbalaji of encouraging the practice. Despite Tasmac management's attempts to curb overcharging through suspensions, the practice continues unabated. Soon after Vijay took oath, 717 liquor shops located within 500m of educational institutions, bus stands and temples were identified for closure. The management has also instructed officials to identify recreational clubs, restobars and hotels serving liquor in proximity to these three zones.Welcoming the move, Tasmac workers' union said shop personnel will follow the instructions. "The rent and power bills should be borne by the management. A queue should be followed in peak hours, for which security arrangements should be made," said AITUC-affiliated Tasmac workers' union general secretary D Dhanasekaran.Chennai: Greater Chennai police commissioner Abin Dinesh Modak directed officers to closely monitor the illegal sale of liquor across the city. He instructed police to intensify surveillance on Tasmac outlets found selling alcohol beyond the permitted hours of 10pm and warned of strict action against those violating the law. "Besides being illegal, the sale of liquor beyond prescribed timings poses a serious threat to public safety," he said. "Such violations often lead to law and order issues, including public nuisance, drunk driving and disturbances, which the police will not tolerate," he added. TNN