CHENNAI: Liquor buyers across Tamil Nadu may have to switch to digital payments for purchases exceeding Rs 1,000 from November 1 and Rs 500 from January 1, 2027, as the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac) plans to phase out cash transactions above these limits for a single purchase at its retail outlets.The move, covering around 4,048 Tasmac liquor outlets across the state, aims to reduce cash handling, prevent accounting discrepancies and address complaints of consumers being charged more than the maximum retail price (MRP). However, similar instructions issued in the past have often failed to translate into consistent implementation on the ground.To implement the latest order, Tasmac has instructed district managers to ensure that the corporation’s official bank-linked point-of-sale (PoS) machines are available at all retail outlets. Any fault in a PoS machine must be reported immediately to senior officials, and the time and duration of the disruption must be recorded. Shop supervisors have also been directed to inform district managers promptly about internet, server or machine failures.The corporation has prohibited employees from collecting sales proceeds through their personal UPI QR codes or bank accounts, or through any other unauthorised QR code or bank account. Employees who violate the instruction will face strict disciplinary action.The latest directive could also revive an expectation among liquor buyers that has remained largely unfulfilled — receiving a bill for every purchase. Tasmac has reiterated that every sale must be accompanied by a bill and that no outlet should charge more than the amount printed on it. Outlets have been directed to display notices informing customers about the payment restrictions and providing the toll-free complaint number, 1800 889 2015.Tasmac has also urged customers to use its online liquor advance-booking facility to pay electronically and collect their purchases in person from the selected outlet.
