TVK claims Rs 90 'extra charges' on liquor led to Rs 100-cr monthly loot under DMK

Tamil Nadu Excise Minister Vignesh on Monday alleged that unofficial collections worth more than Rs 100 crore per month were being made through the state's liquor distribution system during the previous DMK government. It was being done by levying additional charges beyond prescribed rates.

Speaking in Coimbatore, the minister claimed that an extra Rs 90 was collected per liquor case, Rs 40 per beer case and Rs 20 per wine case over and above the official rates. He alleged that the money collected through these charges was diverted as party funds and family funds by those involved in the system.

The minister said the TVK government has launched a crackdown on the practice and estimated that the move would add nearly Rs 1,200 crore annually to the state treasury.

According to Vignesh, around 88 lakh liquor cases were allegedly sold with unofficial charges attached each year. He said the scale of the collections extended far beyond the monthly estimates.

"If we account for the unofficial amount collected on each of these liquor cases, the illegal collections run into thousands of crores overall. Around Rs 100 crore was collected every month through these unofficial charges," he said.

CM VIJAY HAS DIRECTED TO CURB REVENUE LEAKAGES

Vignesh said the issue was discussed during the government's first Cabinet meeting held on June 5. According to him, Chief Minister Vijay directed officials to curb revenue leakages and ensure that all legitimate revenue reaches the state exchequer.

"The Chief Minister has made it clear that every rupee due to the government must reach the treasury and that any form of unofficial collection will not be tolerated," the minister said.

He further alleged that private individuals, political parties and their family members benefited from what he described as illegal collections under the previous system. The ongoing crackdown, he said, is aimed at ensuring transparency in liquor sales and preventing revenue losses to the government.

The DMK had not immediately responded to the allegations.