Allegations are mounting that TASMAC has not seized liquor varieties flagged as unfit for consumption by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), allowing sales to continue in retail outlets.
According to the report, the FSSAI examined liquor products made by Enrica Enterprises and concluded they were not fit for drinking. Following this, TASMAC Managing Director Nandakumar issued a ban on Enrica’s liquor varieties on August 13, but the restriction was lifted the very next day.
TASMAC sources cited in the report said the corporation sells an average of 1.5 crore liquor bottles daily and procures about 45 crore bottles a month. Of this, around 11%—about 4.95 crore bottles per month—are purchased from Enrica, with daily sales of roughly 16.5 lakh bottles.
Under TASMAC’s stocking policy, inventory is maintained up to 10 times the daily sales volume, and Enrica products alone are said to have statewide stock levels of up to 1.65 crore bottles. The sources questioned whether excise inspections and laboratory testing were properly carried out, and noted that no public explanation has been issued by TASMAC’s MD or the Prohibition and Excise Commissioner.
The complaint further alleges that the banned stock was neither seized nor destroyed, and that no penalty or recovery was initiated against the supplier. Instead, the products are said to still be sold, with additional procurement reportedly continuing, prompting calls for a detailed inquiry.
