The Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited convened a high-level meeting with various stakeholders to decide on the first 500 shops that would down shutters in the coming days. An analysis will be done in each district to identify outlets against which there were objections. In districts where there was no objection, cluster shops would be closed.
A senior Tasmac official who attended the meeting on Tuesday, said, “We have asked for a list of sensitive pockets. For example, outlets near schools and religious places will be closed. If there are no sensitive pockets in districts, we will close down cluster shops. For instance, if a particular area has more than one outlet then we will decide which one to close down.” The process was subject to the final approval of the Chief Minister, he added.
Each Tasmac outlet has an average of five employees — a manager and five sales people. Estimates indicate that once these 500 shops close, more than 2,000 people will be left without jobs. He said, “There is a staff shortage at various outlets across the State. We can accommodate the staff there.”
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When asked whether all the employees would be accommodated elsewhere, the official said, “The government will have to decide on that. We will give our suggestions.”
The pay is Rs. 7,000 for supervisors/managers, Rs. 5,800 for the salesmen and Rs. 4,700 for the bar assistants. There are more than 28,000 employees working at 6,720 outlets across Tamil Nadu.
Currently, each outlet sells liquor worth Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 2 lakh per day. Outlets in bigger zones make up to Rs. 5 to Rs. 6 lakh per day.
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