Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac) is set to mandate digital payments for all liquor purchases exceeding ₹500 at its retail outlets across the state, in a move aimed at reducing cash handling, improving transaction transparency, and curbing pricing irregularities. Detailed instructions to outlets are expected shortly, according to reports.

What the New Rule Proposes

Under the proposed arrangement, customers will still be permitted to pay in cash for purchases up to ₹500. Any transaction above that threshold will be required to be completed through digital payment modes. Tasmac is currently assessing the infrastructure requirements at individual outlets before a formal rollout.

Why Tasmac Is Making the Switch

The push for digital payments follows persistent concerns over the dominance of cash transactions despite Tasmac rolling out a computerised system in 2024. That system was designed to digitise operations across the supply chain — spanning liquor manufacturing units, warehouses, and retail shops. Staff at every outlet now scan each bottle using a handheld device before handing it to the customer, and the devices already support digital payments via QR codes. Despite this infrastructure, reportedly more than 80 per cent of liquor purchases at Tasmac outlets continue to be settled in cash.

The Scale of Cash at Stake

Tasmac records average daily sales of nearly ₹150 crore, with the figure rising considerably during weekends, festivals, and public holidays. Retail outlets typically hold the large volume of cash collected each day before transporting it to banks the following morning. Officials believe this large-scale cash handling exposes employees to robbery and theft, particularly during transit. A shift to digital payments is expected to reduce this risk and give the corporation a cleaner audit trail of every transaction.

Existing Online Facility Falls Short

Tasmac already operates an online platform that allows customers to select their preferred brands, pay digitally, and generate a collection code for use at a designated outlet. However, the facility has attracted complaints about delays in order fulfilment. Officials attributed the problem, in part, to some retail employees' preference for direct cash dealings — a pattern the new mandatory ceiling is explicitly intended to address.

Tackling Overpricing and Change Disputes

The proposed digital payment ceiling is also expected to help prevent outlets from charging above the officially prescribed maximum retail price (MRP). Digital records would allow authorities to verify the exact amount collected for each transaction and flag discrepancies more efficiently. Officials noted that the measure could additionally reduce frequent disputes at counters over the non-availability of change — a longstanding complaint from customers across the state.

With the infrastructure assessment underway, Tasmac's formal implementation timeline will depend on how quickly individual outlets can be made ready for the transition.