Stocks fly off shelves, revenue disappointing, rue Tasmac officials

The joy of several thousand tipplers in TN was short lived as liquor bottles flew off the shelves within a few hours of sale from most Tasmac shops on Day 1 of the opening. 

Also, the government could only collect Rs 40 crore, less than half the revenue during normal sales. 

Adding to woes, of the 5,000 shops located in other districts (barring Chennai), only one-third (1,600) were opened, hence the revenue could not cross Rs 40 crore, a Tasmac official said. 

Shutters were also downed over protests by politicians and women groups. “Moreover, the token system also confused salesmen and supervisors,” he said, adding, the HC order on Aadhaar cards to be used while purchasing booze created chaos. 

Meanwhile, the State on Thursday, sought the HC to do away with the Aadhaar condition. The matter will be heard on May 14.