In a first in more than two decades, employees of Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac) will get a salary hike, that too at a 25 per cent increase. The move is aimed to curb corruption in one of Tamil Nadu's largest revenue-generating departments, said reports.
Minister for Prohibition and Excise K. Vignesh said on Tuesday that ESI benefits will also be extended to these employees.
At least 40 employees were suspended in the last two months for allegedly selling liquor above the MRP. It has been alleged that customers are illegally charged additional 10 per cent for a bottle. "If liquor is sold above the MRP, the government will take strict action, including dismissal from service," said minister Vignesh.
A supervisor will now earn ₹22,313 up from the earlier ₹17,850 while a salesman will get a monthly salary of ₹19,413 instead of the previous ₹15,530 income. For an assistant salesman, the monthly wage will now increase from existing ₹14,030 to ₹17,925. The salary hike will come into effect from August.
Tasmac has 38 district offices, 43 Indian-made foreign liquor depots, about 4,100 retail vending shops and 2,320 bars attached to the retail vending shops.
The TVK government has also extended the licences of 2,320 bars attached to liquor retail outlets across the state by two months. The minister pointed that fresh tenders might take another two-three weeks and the entire process could take another around a month.
In May, CM C. Joseph Vijay ordered closure of 717 Tasmac outlets operating within 500 metres of bus stands, educational institutions and religious centres.
