No Cash for Liquor Bills Above ₹1,000: TASMAC Tightens Payment Rules Across Tamil Nadu

The Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) will make digital payments mandatory for single liquor purchases exceeding ₹1,000 from November 1, covering its 4,048 retail liquor shops across the state, an official said on Tuesday.

The state-owned corporation has introduced the measure amid public complaints about liquor being sold above the Maximum Retail Price (MRP). The new system is intended to record transactions electronically and address concerns related to cash handling and sales accountability.

A senior TASMAC official said that although UPI, debit cards and credit cards are already accepted, most purchases continue to be paid for in cash. Handling large amounts of currency creates security risks during transportation, accounting discrepancies and the possibility of counterfeit notes, the official said.

Under the new rule, purchases exceeding ₹1,000 in a single transaction must be paid for digitally. Customers buying liquor worth ₹1,000 or less can continue to use either cash or digital payment methods.

TASMAC has prohibited shop employees from accepting payments through personal QR codes or individual bank accounts. Transactions must be processed through authorised payment systems to ensure that sales proceeds are credited to official accounts.

Outlet supervisors have been directed to issue physical bills for every purchase and hand over liquor bottles only after verifying payments through official point-of-sale (POS) machines. Employees who violate the instructions will face disciplinary action, the official said.

All retail outlets will display 2-by-3-foot notice boards informing customers about the new payment requirements.

District managers have been instructed to inspect POS machines, ensure adequate network connectivity and conduct weekly reviews to monitor implementation. These measures are intended to ensure that payment facilities function properly and shops comply with the new rules.

According to the official, digital transactions will generate records containing the payment amount and timestamp, allowing sales to be tracked and complaints about overcharging to be examined.

The phased implementation will begin on November 1, with digital payments required for all individual purchases above the specified threshold.