ED Alleges Rs 1,000 Crore Liquor 'Scam' In TASMAC Operations In Tamil Nadu

The revelations followed extensive searches conducted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 6 across multiple districts in the state, exposing deep-rooted corruption in the organisation.

The investigation pinpointed three main areas of corruption: Overpricing at retail shops, bribes from liquor manufacturers and corrupt practices in staff transfers.

Source : File Photo

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) uncovered alleged fraudulent activities worth Rs 1,000 crore within Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited (TASMAC), the monopoly state-run liquor distribution network. The revelations followed extensive searches conducted by the ED on March 6 across multiple districts in the state, exposing deep-rooted corruption in the organisation.

Taking to X, ED said, "ED, Chennai has conducted search operations at various premises across many districts of Tamil Nadu on 06.03.2025 under the provisions of PMLA, 2002, for various offences related to Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited (TASMAC) and its associated entities/persons. During the search operations, various incriminating documents were recovered and seized."

In a significant move to restore the Proceeds of Crime (POC) to rightful claimants, the ED, Bhubaneswar Zonal office has successfully restituted six properties valued at Rs. 5.17 Crore to victim and rightful claimant i.e Indian Bank in the case of M/s GDS Builders & Othersbeing…

— ED (@dir_ed) March 13, 2025

 

ED Findings 

According to the ED’s findings, TASMAC officials and private entities were involved in various alleged financial malpractices, including overpricing liquor, accepting bribes from distillery companies, and irregularities in staff transfers, reported The News Minute.

The investigation pinpointed three main areas of corruption: Overpricing at retail shops, bribes from liquor manufacturers and corrupt practices in staff transfers, as per reports. The probe find out that TASMAC outlets were reportedly found to be illegally charging an additional Rs 10-Rs 30 per liquor bottle beyond the maximum retail price (MRP), generating unaccounted revenue. Distillery firms allegedly paid kickbacks to TASMAC officials to secure supply deals, raising concerns about preferential treatment in procurement. Senior officials reportedly accepted bribes in exchange for favourable postings and transfers of employees, as well as for approvals at retail shops, reported NDTV.

Further, the records seized during the raids are now under scrutiny as investigators work to identify all individuals involved in the scandal.

AIADMK Demands DMK Govt To Resign 

Addressing on the ED's revelation, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami told ANI, "ED has said that there has been a TASMAC corruption of more than Rs 1000 Crores. Investigation is going on. It is possible that there has been over Rs 40,000 crores of corruption in TASMAC. Government didn't take any action even after ED raid. We demand that the DMK government should resign over this."