Chennai: As alcohol continues to be overpriced at liquor shops across the state, Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac) has been figuring out ways to pay electricity bills and regularise the rent for shops as they are often cited as reasons by salesmen to collect more than the maximum retail price from buyers.Tasmac officials said that these two issues will be the focus at a review meeting to be held on July 1 with its district managers and senior regional managers.“Of the 4,000-plus shops, 3,600 shops have separate electricity services and their consumption can be easily accessed. Tasmac officials have been discussing it with electricity board officials to explore options of bulk payment for all services through a single account. Once it is finalised, salesmen at Tasmac shops need not worry about paying electricity bills,” added the officials.Similarly, Tasmac is planning to revise the rents to be paid to landowners for its outlets. “Rent has not been revised for several years, so landlords demand more money from salesmen and supervisors, who then cite this to fleece liquor buyers. So Tasmac is planning to revise the rent for shops based on their locations. Discussions are on with the public works department to revise the rents,” said the officials.
