All 4,048 Tasmac outlets in Tamil Nadu to get bottle return machines: Minister Vignesh

Consumers returning empty bottles at Tasmac outlets to receive a refund of ₹10 per bottle in cash. | Photo Credit: R. Ragu All 4,048 Tasmac outlets in Tamil Nadu will soon have reverse vending machines (RVMs) to facilitate the return of empty liquor bottles.Consumers will be able to return bottles at any outlet in the State, irrespective of where they were purchased. The tendering process for procuring the machines is expected to be completed within 20 days, Minister for Prohibition and Excise K. Vignesh said in Coimbatore on Monday (November 2, 2026).He told reporters that the government had taken steps to procure the machines to streamline the collection of empty bottles and ensure transparency in the process.Referring to the existing bottle return system, Mr. Vignesh alleged that the previous DMK regime had collected ₹10 per bottle as party fund and another ₹10 towards the bottle buy-back scheme.According to him, the government had stopped the collection of ₹10 as party fund and was initially collecting only the amount meant for the bottle return scheme. Now, the ₹10 bottle buy-back charge had been included in the maximum retail price (MRP) of liquor, he said.He alleged that the number of empty bottles recorded as reflected in the accounts was higher than the actual number returned, despite the collection of the buy-back charge. The government had questioned the discrepancy between the number of bottles accounted for and the money received, he said.Warning to employeesMr. Vignesh warned Tasmac employees against resorting to protests and said strict legal action would be taken against those who disrupted the functioning of outlets. Notices had been issued to 960 employees, while four employees, who had allegedly asked shops to remain closed, had been suspended. An inquiry was under way into the closure of other outlets, he said.The government was considering setting up larger shops measuring 500 to 1,000 sq. ft. to facilitate separate billing and delivery, he said.The Minister said the revised MRP would be printed on all liquor bottles and consumers should not pay anything beyond the price printed on the bottle.On private bars, he said a list would be prepared shortly and licence holders would not be allowed to sublet their premises. The government was considering relocating some Tasmac outlets.On the possibility of handing over Tasmac management to private players, he said there were risks involved in such a move and the government had not taken any decision on it. Published - November 02, 2026 10:23 pm IST