TASMAC liquor outlets in Tamil Nadu recorded sales worth about Rs 350 crore in a single day, as customers rushed to buy stocks ahead of a three-day shutdown linked to the Assembly election.
According to the report, TASMAC shops were closed from Tuesday and will remain shut until Thursday. The holiday was announced to prevent law-and-order issues and curb any distribution of liquor to voters during the polling period.
On normal days, TASMAC’s statewide sales average around Rs 150 crore, with higher collections typically seen on weekends and special holidays. The state reportedly grants liquor shops holidays on only about eight days a year, including occasions such as Thiruvalluvar Day and Republic Day.
TASMAC staff said the Election Commission has been monitoring daily sales since the model code of conduct came into force. In outlets where sales rose by more than 30% compared to usual levels, officials sought explanations, they added.
Despite the three-day closure, the spike was largely concentrated on the day before the shutdown, when buyers continued purchasing until closing time, leading to the Rs 350 crore figure, staff said.
