TASMAC: Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited (TASMAC) is under scrutiny over allegations of corruption. It has shaken the political landscape of the country, with the ruling DMK and BJP at loggerheads. The Tamil Nadu police on Monday detained BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan for protesting against the alleged TASMAC scam. Soundararajan alleged that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has revealed irregularities worth Rs 1,000 crore in TASMAC.
“In a country, everyone has the right to protest against anything. The ED has revealed that there have been Rs 1,000 crore irregularities in TASMAC. And in this regard, we have announced a peaceful agitation. But they have surrounded us. We don’t fear such a type of custody. We will fight for the people,” she said.
Meanwhile, BJP leader K Annamalai said that TASMAC scam is bigger than the Delhi liquor scam. “I have my sources. I believe (the corruption) is over a thousand crore (rupees). Senthil Balaji is involved in every single scam. He is the kingpin. Supreme Court has questioned if he has the moral right to stay a Minister,” Annamalai added.
#WATCH | Tamil Nadu | Police detain BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan in Chennai ahead of BJP's protest over the alleged TASMAC scam
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— ANI (@ANI) March 17, 2025
#WATCH | Chennai | On Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji’s statement on the alleged TASMAC scam, Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai says, “… I have my sources. I believe (the corruption) is over a thousand crores… Senthil Balaji is involved in every single scam. He is the… pic.twitter.com/PuWnvZBf0e
— ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2025
Breaking Down Rs 1,000 Crore Scam
Notably, ED has alleged that a network of politicians, bureaucrats, and distillery owners have misappropriated more than Rs 1,000 crore. It has been done through manipulated tenders, inflated expenses, and illegal transactions. ED’s investigation has revealed that the distilleries in the state generated fake purchase records, inflated costs and diversion of funds through shell companies.
ED further added that the liquor manufacturers allegedly paid bribes to TASMAC officials to secure inflated supply orders. It has accused distilleries like SNJ, Kals, Accord, SAIFL, and Shiva Distillery of being involved in the irregularities.
The investigating agency has further accused of tender manipulation in transport contracts and bar licences. According to the ED, applicants who lacked proper documentation were given bar licence tenders. Moreover, transport tenders were also fabricated to favour some companies. It’s alleged that TASMAC paid Rs 100 crore annually to transporters despite irregularities.
ED has also alleged money laundering and unaccounted cash transactions. The agency said that tainted money was converted into cash and channelled back into the ecosystem. Direct interactions between distillery executives and senior TASMAC officials have been also found.
What Is TASMAC?
TASMAC is a government-owned company in Tamil Nadu. The government holds exclusive right to wholesale and retail vending of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL). It is a company incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956 on 23 May 1983. According to the information on website, “TASMAC procures IMFS and Beer stocks locally from 11 IMFS manufacturers and 7 Beer manufacturers in the State. It also procures wine locally from one manufacturer. It also procures scotch, Whisky and few wine brands from other states. TASMAC also engages in retail sale of Foreign Liquor.”
