Chennai: Several Tasmac elite shops across the city continue to overcharge customers demanding an extra ₹10 per bottle of liquor despite govt warning against such practices.Bills shared by customers show that an outlet in Kasturba Nagar in Adyar charged ₹10 extra for two imported beer bottles which cost ₹480 each. While the total cost must have been ₹960, the customer was told to pay ₹980 to the personal number of the staff and his relative, instead of the Tasmac-issued POS device.Instead of scanning the liquor bottle using the payment device issued by Tasmac, the staff first gave his personal UPI ID with the name Vijayakumar S and ID vijayakumars87569h@okicici. When the payment was declined citing “maximum payments for this number has been reached”, the staff then sent his wife’s UPI ID (vijayakumars78569h-1@okicici) which bore the name “Mrs Vijayakumar S”.Similarly, the Anna Nagar elite shop on Second Avenue charged ₹20 extra for an imported beer tin. While the beer cost ₹380 per tin, the customer ended up paying ₹800 for two instead of ₹760. Another customer said the elite shop in T Nagar asked the extra ₹10 as cash instead of digital payment as it gets recorded.A Tasmac official said they take action wherever they receive complaints. “We are suspending the person involved. We have advised them not to collect extra money and no excuses will be accepted,” the official said.Prohibition and excise minister K Vignesh had earlier warned that staff charging an extra ₹10 would face disciplinary action.Jayaram Venkatesan, convenor of anti-corruption NGO Arappor Iyakkam, said this is systemic corruption that has been happening for long, and it requires a systemic solution. “Tasmac staff on their side claim they have administrative financial requirements where this extra ₹10 is used. If that’s true, Tasmac should ensure necessary money is allotted for shop management needs. Strict action must also be taken against the staff,” he said.
