TVK and DMK fight it out in the Assembly over ₹10 collected more for a liquor bottle
The Tamil Nadu Assembly saw a heated debate between the ruling party and the DMK regarding the collection of extra fees at state-run liquor shops. The government claims the funds are necessary for shop maintenance, while the opposition labels the practice as corrupt.
Why it matters
This debate underscores the political friction surrounding state-controlled retail and the management of public funds.
Minister for Prohibition and Excise K. Vignesh said on Monday (August 31, 2026) that the “extra ₹10” collected at Tasmac liquor shops was the result of years of underpaying the shop workers and non-allocation of funds for paying electricity bills or for the upkeep of the outlets.
Responding to Deputy Leader of the Opposition K.N. Nehru of the DMK, who asked why the extra charge of ₹10 per bottle was still being collected, Mr. Vignesh said, “The problem at Tasmac is that the consumers don’t decide which liquor brands will be sold at the outlets, but politicians do.”
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