Chennai: Tamil Nadu Excise Minister K Vignesh on Sunday said the state government had not set any target for liquor sales during Diwali, stressing that sales should take place without pressure to meet specific figures.
Addressing concerns over additional charges at liquor outlets, he said customers were allegedly paying Rs 150 for a bottle priced at Rs 140, including Rs 10 collected towards a party fund. He said Chief Minister would address the issue during his visit to Karur.
The minister said the government was taking steps to stop such collections and had instructed TASMAC management not to recover electricity bills, rent, transportation or loading and unloading expenses from shop owners.
He added that 717 liquor shops had been shut across Tamil Nadu. However, consumers were travelling to other areas to purchase liquor, resulting in increased crowds at the remaining outlets.
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