(Representative) In response to a newly imposed environment cess, Tasmac will impose a Rs 10 rise in liquor prices.
It may be recalled that state prohibition and excise minister K Vignesh introduced a Bill to levy an environment cess of up to Rs 20 on liquor prices, which was subsequently passed by the Assembly. Rs 2,000 per day will not be enough we have meet the expenditure of additional manpower and rent for the premises to store bottles,” he said. With the latest directions, the empty bottle collection scheme will finally be launched in three Tasmac districts in Chennai and five other districts where it could not be implemented earlier due to opposition from retail workers. “The system could have been implemented after the reverse vendor of empty bottles is finalised, so that the workers will not be burdened with additional work.
“The decision to add environment cess was taken following complaints that consumers are being fleeced and forced to pay above MRP in the name of empty bottle collection,” Vignesh said. “The reimbursement charges will be met out of the cess and the district managers should maintain the records,” the circular said. D Dhanasekaran, general secretary of the Tasmac Workers’ Association affiliated to AITUC, said the new system could not be implemented at such short notice.
Tasmac has issued a detailed circular to liquor manufacturers, depots, district managers and staff at retail vending shops, outlining how the new system should be implemented.