Massive Corruption Unveiled in Tamil Nadu's Liquor Trade Monopoly

The Enforcement Directorate has exposed significant irregularities in TASMAC's liquor trade operations in Tamil Nadu, including manipulated tender processes and unaccounted cash transactions involving distillery and bottling companies. The agency found fraudulent activities worth Rs 1,000 crore, implicating both TASMAC officials and private companies.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has uncovered a series of irregularities in the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited (TASMAC), which has a monopoly over the state's liquor trade. This includes significant tender process manipulations and unaccounted cash transactions totaling Rs 1,000 crore.

The ED found incriminating evidence after conducting raids on TASMAC employees, corporate offices, and distillery plants. These raids revealed data pointing to corrupt practices, including manipulation of transfer postings and transport and bar license tenders, often favoring select distillery companies.

Distillery and bottling companies were found to have created false financial records to siphon funds as kickbacks for increased supply orders from TASMAC. The investigation exposed a network of unaccounted cash flow and financial record manipulation that significantly benefited both TASMAC officials and the private sector.