Tasmac continues to power TN's treasury with Rs 48,344 cr tax revenue in FY25

The Tamil Nadu government has made a revenue of ₹48,344 crore from the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac) for the fiscal year 2024-25, a ₹2,488.30 crore increase from the previous year’s ₹45,855.70 crore. This was shared through the Prohibition and Excise Department’s Policy Note for 2025-26.

However, the impressive growth in revenue — excise and sales tax — comes in the backdrop of allegations of large-scale financial irregularities. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has claimed to have unearthed a ₹1,000 crore liquor scam following raids on Tasmac's headquarters.

Raising the allegation, AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) led a walkout from the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Tuesday (April 22), claiming daily corruption in Tasmac is around Rs 15 crore.

Though the MK Stalin-led DMK government in the state is yet to respond directly to the ED’s allegations, Excise Minister V Senthil Balaji indirectly emphasised Tasmac's transparency through its end-to-end computerisation.

Consistent revenue growth

Tax revenue from Tasmac has been on the rise consistently, solidifying its position as a fiscal powerhouse of the Tamil Nadu government. From ₹36,050.65 crore in 2021-22, it rose to ₹44,121.13 crore in 2022-23, ₹45,855.70 crore in 2023-24, and now ₹48,344 crore in 2024-25, with ₹11,020.43 crore from excise and ₹37,323.57 crore from VAT. This growth fuels state welfare and infrastructure schemes.

But the ED’s March 6, 2025 raids on Tasmac's Chennai headquarters, depots, and distilleries like SNJ and Kals have raised serious concerns.

Also Read: ED action on state-run liquor retailer: TN, TASMAC withdraw transfer pleas in SC

The central agency alleged a ₹1,000 crore scam involving manipulated tenders, overpriced bottles, and kickbacks, based on 46 Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) FIRs from 2017-2023.

EPS’s explosive claims

EPS led a walkout from the Assembly after Speaker M Appavu barred discussion on Tasmac's irregularities, citing its sub judice status.

Speaking to reporters outside the State Secretariat, EPS alleged that the silence of the state government and Chief Minister MK Stalin on the issue, and the Speaker’s refusal to allow a discussion on it in the Assembly, imply the government’s involvement in the scam.

Also Read: ED defends TASMAC HQ raid in Madras High Court

“The ED raided TASMAC’s headquarters and related firms, including liquor factories, and released a press note saying they have unearthed a Rs 1,000 crore scam. Yet, no one, including the Chief Minister, has spoken. I tried to raise this in the Assembly, but permission was denied. This implies the government’s involvement in the scam. Tasmac shops collect ₹10 extra per bottle. With 1.5 crore bottles sold daily, that’s ₹15 crore daily, ₹450 crore monthly, and ₹5,400 crore annually. Tasmac staff say they don’t collect this money for themselves — they share it with officials,” said EPS.

Senthil Balaji's defence

However, Senthil Balaji refuted the AIADMK’s accusations, stating that the practice of charging an extra ₹10 per bottle at Tasmac shops predates the DMK regime.

“Not only now, during the AIADMK’s rule from 2016 to 2021, an additional ₹10 was also charged per bottle sold in Tasmac shops,” he said. He further highlighted that over the past four years, 15,415 cases were filed against such violations, resulting in ₹6.79 crore in penalties.

Also Read: TN moves SC seeking transfer of pleas against ED’s Tasmac raids from Madras HC

Although the DMK government is yet to respond to the ED’s allegations, Senthil Balaji indirectly defended Tasmac, highlighting its end-to-end computerisation project, which tracks liquor from production to retail, ensuring transparency.

Tasmac's 'transparency'

Senthil Balaji dismissed the claims as politically motivated, noting online tender processes and data-driven orders.

Tasmac challenged the ED raids in the Madras High Court, alleging harassment and violation of federal principles. On March 20, 2025, the High Court stayed the probe, and tomorrow’s verdict will decide its fate. The state’s Supreme Court plea to transfer the case has drawn scrutiny.

Tasmac supports anti-liquor efforts with Rs 5 crore for awareness campaigns and Rs 5 crore for rehabilitating prohibition offenders. As per the policy note, 25 de-addiction centres, launched in February 2025, treat substance abuse, aligning with the “Drug-Free Tamil Nadu” mission.