TASMAC revenue dips by Rs 201 crore

Total earnings of TASMAC reduced to Rs 26,794 crore in the 2017-18 financial year, against Rs 26,995 crore in the previous fiscal at a time when the TN government has reiterated its commitment to enforce total prohibition in the state in a phased manner.

Moving the demand for grants for his departments in the State Assembly on Thursday, Electricity and Prohibition Minister P Thangamani said TN had earned an excise revenue of Rs 6,009.25 crore in 2017-18 fiscal, Rs 238.92 crore less than previous financial year.

The liquor vendor registered a marginal rise in VAT, which spiked to Rs 20,784.86 crore in 2017-18 from Rs 20,747.08 in the previous fiscal. While the government attributed the reduction to certain amendments in the tax structure, government sources said the increase in VAT revenue was the direct fall out of liquor price hike effected by the State. Closure of retail vending shops might also have affected revenue collection.

Thangamani announced a hike of Rs 750, 600 and 500 for supervisors, salesmen and assistant  salesman of TASMAC from September.

Rs 43.57 lakh has been allocated for a control room to monitor camera (night vision) vehicles of 24 check posts, prohibition enforcement wing.