Coimbatore: Prohibition and Excise Minister Vignesh on Thursday said there is no discrimination in the state’s liquor procurement process.
Speaking to reporters, he said purchases are made equally from 11 companies, without differentiating between units linked to the DMK or the AIADMK. He alleged that in previous Dravidian regimes the department was kept “corruption-ridden” with an intent to make money.
The minister said that once TASMAC shops are fully brought under proper procedures, the department will turn its attention to FL-2 outlets. Following complaints that unhygienic food is being served in bars, he said the upcoming bar tenders are also considering an option to run restaurants.
On the issue of charging customers above the listed price for liquor bottles, he said the practice of suspending TASMAC staff will continue until a solution is found. He also said tenders to install reverse vending machines in 4,000 TASMAC shops—under a scheme to collect empty bottles with a Rs 10 sticker—are scheduled to be opened on the 5th.
