Chennai: Suspensions and warnings from ministers appear to have done little to deter TASMAC staff, as overcharging continues unabated at liquor outlets across the city. Employees have now begun accepting cash to avoid scrutiny.TOI found that the overcharging persists despite repeated complaints and official action. A customer at the elite shop number 422 on Nelson Manickam Road paid ₹1,280 when the bill amount was only ₹1,140. After arguments, the Tasmac staff paid ₹90 back in cash, while retaining ₹50, which was ₹10 extra each for five bottles of alcohol purchased.“We took five beers totalling ₹1,140 as per MRP, but they tried to fleece us. All the employees have been working here for more than five years, and continue the operations as usual,” the customer said. A visit to the shop revealed that the worker there collected money in cash alone. When questioned, he said a UPI scanner wasn’t available.The case was no different at shop number 419 in Anna Nagar, where ₹20 extra was being collected. Another customer at the Second Avenue elite shop also paid ₹20, while customers at the Shanthi Colony elite shop number 440 complained that after 9pm on weekends, the staff collected payments only in cash, leading to unchecked overcharging.When TOI enquired with staff, they demonstrated how the scanner machine directly added an extra ₹10 while billing. The staff scanned a ₹80 beer bottle, but the machine showed ₹90. “They have programmed it like this in the past. It hasn’t changed. We return the extra money in cash,” the staff said. Customers, however, said the staff only return the cash when questioned.Prohibition and excise department officials said they were reprogramming the scanner to accurately scan the MRP. “All modes of payment are available at Tasmac. We will take strict action based on inspections and surveys,” the official said.
