Tamil Nadu to Install Reverse Vending Machines at All Tasmac Shops

Bottle Return Plan

All 4,048 Tasmac liquor outlets across Tamil Nadu will soon get reverse vending machines to collect empty bottles. Consumers can return empty bottles at any shop in the State regardless of where they bought them. Minister for Prohibition and Excise K. Vignesh stated in Coimbatore on Monday that the tendering process to buy these machines will finish within 20 days. The government aims to make the collection process smooth and transparent.

Charges And Accounts

The Minister said the ₹10 buy-back charge for returning bottles is now included in the maximum retail price of liquor. He alleged that past accounts showed more empty bottles returned than the actual physical count. The government questioned this mismatch between recorded bottles and money received. He also warned that consumers must not pay anything above the price printed on the bottle.

Employee Actions And Shop Changes

Mr. Vignesh issued a strong warning to Tasmac employees against holding protests or disrupting shop work, stating strict legal action awaits rule-breakers. Authorities have already issued notices to 960 employees and suspended four workers for forcing shops to stay closed. Meanwhile, the government is looking at opening larger shops between 500 and 1,000 square feet for better billing and delivery. Officials also plan to make a list of private bars soon to stop license holders from subletting spaces, while some Tasmac outlets might shift to new locations.

Context

Tasmac is the State-owned corporation that handles wholesale and retail liquor vending in Tamil Nadu. Managing empty bottle returns has been a major operational challenge for the retail network due to manual handling and accounting issues. Introducing automated vending machines aims to reduce human error and plug financial gaps in the buy-back system.