TASMAC:- 12.03% growth rate

The State-owned Indian-made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) outlets run by the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) have recorded an impressive 12.03 per cent growth in sales in 2012 so far, even though beer consumption has dipped. According to TASMAC sources, IMFL sales in Tiruchi Region comprising Salem, Dharmapuri, Namakkal, Krishnagiri, Vellore and Tiruvannamalai districts, has recorded the maximum increase of 22.44 per cent comparing the statistics up to November 2012 with the previous year. This is followed by Madurai Region (15.87 per cent) and Chennai Region (7.06 per cent). In terms of the number of cases, Madurai Region has topped with 5.73 lakh.

Interestingly, all the districts have recorded a fall in the sale of beer. The total beer sales have taken a plunge by 10.55 per cent over the year. This drastic fall is attributed to many reasons, including cost factor, climatic conditions, and availability of new IMFL varieties.

According to an official in the Prohibition Enforcement Wing, there was a steady increase in the number of new customers at TASMAC outlets. Observation says that at least 500 new customers walk into IMFL outlets each day. TASMAC have completely eradicated illicit arrack. Frequent raids are being conducted across the State to curb brewing of spurious liquor and sale of IMFL bottles smuggled from other States.

Intensive vehicle checks at check-posts in districts bordering neighbouring States and detention of habitual offenders under the Bootleggers Act also helped minimise the menace of spurious liquor. There was no case of hooch tragedy in the last two years. In 2012 alone, 225 accused persons were detained under the Bootleggers Act. Of the 87,421 persons arrested in connection with 86,721 cases booked up to November this year, 10 per cent were women.

On the revenue front, it is cheers for TASMAC. IMFL/beer sales were comfortably crossing the Rs. 2,000 crore per month mark and are expected to touch Rs. 25,000 crore this fiscal.

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa announced a toll-free ‘Prohibition Helpline’ that will encourage public to share information with police on the activities of prohibition offenders.