📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Michael Gäbler
Business
Tasmac reforms stalled as Tamil Nadu liquor shops cling to 1990s practices
✍️ The Times of India
🗓 06 Nov 2026, 11:01 AM
👁 16
The Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation's announced reforms have not been implemented, leaving its retail outlets operating with outdated 1990s systems, the Times of India reports.
The Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac), the government‑run body that controls the sale of liquor in the state, has unveiled a set of reforms aimed at modernising its retail network. However, according to recent reporting, the changes remain confined to official documents and have not been rolled out on the ground.
Field observations indicate that many Tasmac outlets continue to operate with the same pricing, inventory and service procedures that were standard in the early 1990s. Staff training, digital payment integration and supply‑chain upgrades that were part of the reform agenda are still absent.
State officials acknowledge the gap between policy and practice, citing administrative delays and budgetary constraints as primary hurdles. The stagnation has drawn criticism from consumer groups who argue that outdated shop operations limit choice, affect price transparency and hinder revenue growth for the corporation.
Industry analysts note that without swift implementation, Tasmac risks falling behind private competitors that have already adopted modern retail technologies. The corporation’s leadership has indicated that a phased rollout is under consideration, but no concrete timeline has been announced.
The situation underscores a broader challenge for Tamil Nadu's public sector enterprises: translating policy intent into tangible improvements for citizens.
Field observations indicate that many Tasmac outlets continue to operate with the same pricing, inventory and service procedures that were standard in the early 1990s. Staff training, digital payment integration and supply‑chain upgrades that were part of the reform agenda are still absent.
State officials acknowledge the gap between policy and practice, citing administrative delays and budgetary constraints as primary hurdles. The stagnation has drawn criticism from consumer groups who argue that outdated shop operations limit choice, affect price transparency and hinder revenue growth for the corporation.
Industry analysts note that without swift implementation, Tasmac risks falling behind private competitors that have already adopted modern retail technologies. The corporation’s leadership has indicated that a phased rollout is under consideration, but no concrete timeline has been announced.
The situation underscores a broader challenge for Tamil Nadu's public sector enterprises: translating policy intent into tangible improvements for citizens.