Tamil Nadu liquor prices to rise by Rs 10 from Nov 1 in this state, here’s how to get it back

New Delhi: Liquor prices in Tamil Nadu will go up by Rs 10 per bottle from November 1 as the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) includes an environmental cess in the maximum retail price (MRP). However, consumers will be able to get the additional amount back by returning their empty liquor bottles at TASMAC outlets.

Under the existing buy-back scheme, customers pay Rs 10 over and above the MRP and receive the amount as a refund when they return the empty bottle to the shop. With the revised system, the additional Rs 10 will be included in the MRP itself.

TASMAC has issued instructions to liquor manufacturers, depots, direct managers and retail outlet staff to implement the revised system. The move will also extend the empty bottle collection scheme to three TASMAC districts in Chennai and five other districts where it could not be introduced earlier due to opposition from retail workers.

How will liquor price and refund system work?

Under the new arrangement, customers will have to pay the revised MRP which includes the Rs 10 environmental cess. They can then return their empty bottles to any TASMAC outlet and claim the additional amount even if they purchased the liquor from a different shop.

TASMAC has made it clear that retail outlets cannot collect any additional money beyond the revised MRP by citing the bottle collection scheme. The corporation has warned of strict disciplinary action against employees found overcharging customers.

The decision follows repeated complaints of consumers being charged between Rs 10 and Rs 40 above the MRP at several liquor outlets. State Prohibition and Excise Minister K Vignesh had earlier introduced a Bill to impose an environmental cess of up to Rs 20 on liquor prices which was passed by the Assembly.

TASMAC has also asked officials to coordinate with banks to ensure adequate availability of Rs 10 notes and coins for refunds. Until a reverse vendor is selected through a tender process, outlet staff will manage the collection and hand over empty bottles to approved vendors.

Digital payments mandatory for purchases above Rs 1,000

In another change, digital payments will become mandatory for liquor purchases exceeding Rs 1,000 from November 1. The threshold will be reduced to Rs 500 from January 1, 2027.

Auto fares also revised

Meanwhile, the state government has revised autorickshaw fares after 13 years. The minimum fare has been increased from Rs 25 to Rs 50 for the first 1.8 kilometres. Every additional kilometre will cost Rs 25.

Night fares between 10 pm and 5 am will be 1.5 times the regular rate while waiting charges have been fixed at Rs 1 per minute. The revised liquor pricing and transport fares will bring changes to everyday expenses across the state from November 1.