Unethical Practices in Liquor Sales at TASMAC Outlets: Receipts, MRP, and Staff Underload

Introduction

India's Tamil Nadu state-run TASMAC outlets, known for their monopoly on alcohol sales, have been the subject of growing scrutiny over their practices. This article explores several unethical and inefficient practices that have been observed in these outlets.

The Lack of Receipts and Excessive Charges

Liquor sales, especially among religious figures, have drawn significant criticism. Monks and other religious practitioners often purchase liquor from TASMAC outlets despite the ethical and moral objections to such sales. However, what is puzzling is that despite the high volume of sales, TASMAC outlets do not provide receipts, and frequently charge more than the recommended retail price (MRP).

Staff Constraints and Customer Management

TASMAC outlets often have minimal staff, typically only 2-3 individuals per location. This results in an overwhelming challenge for the staff to process each customer, provide receipts, and handle change. The high volume of customers means that it can take a considerable amount of time to manage, leading to delays and frustrations for customers.

Additional Charges on MRP

To cope with these challenges, TASMAC outlets often fix an additional charge of Rs. 5 to 10 on top of the MRP without providing receipts. These practices exacerbate the inconvenience and frustration of customers, who are unable to get a proper bill or receipt, and often have to deal with the oversight of sales personnel.

The fact that staff members are not able to respond to customer queries about the receipt further compounds the issue. This leaves customers without a clear record of their transactions, which can be problematic in various scenarios, such as disputes or tax-related matters.

Unethical and Immoral Practices

Liquor sales, which are considered unethical and immoral to society, continue unabated. The state government's justification for allowing these sales is to prevent black market operations and to increase profits, even at the cost of public morals and ethics. This mentality of prioritizing profits over societal well-being is deeply concerning.

The state's stance on liquor sales is consistent with a broader pattern of prioritizing revenue over public health and moral considerations. This raises questions about the true intentions behind the government's policy on liquor sales.

Conclusion

The practices at TASMAC outlets, including the lack of receipts, additional charges beyond MRP, and staff underload, are highly unethical and contribute to a larger problem of moral degradation within the community. It is essential for the government to address these issues, ensuring transparency, accountability, and fairness in liquor sales, while prioritizing public health and moral integrity.