Steps being taken to ease workload of TASMAC staff, says Minister

The empty liquor bottle buy-back scheme should be viewed in the interest of the public and steps are being taken to reduce the workload of TASMAC staff, said Minister for Housing, Prohibition and Excise S. Muthusamy here on Saturday (December 6, 2025).

The discarded liquor bottles were harming agriculture, and in the Nilgiris, wildlife was affected. The court had directed the government to frame a mechanism to collect empty bottles, he told the media.

Responding to a question on the protest by TASMAC staff over the collection of empty bottles, the Minister said, “Based on court orders, the plan has been formulated and the collection process is under way. Steps are being taken to complete the work within the court-fixed timeline.”

Admitting that the measure had increased staff workload, he said the government was working on alternative arrangements. “Until a new system is in place, employees must carry out the task as part of their Departmental duty. We have held discussions with trade unions and employees to resolve the difficulties,” he said. Due to lack of storage space at shops, employees were instructed to transport bottles twice a day instead of one daily evening trip. Measures were being taken to address related operational issues.

Further discussions would be held with TASMAC managers and employees to arrive at a solution. “The Department and the workers will jointly ensure effective implementation of the court’s directive without causing inconvenience to the public,” he added.

The Minister, who reviewed the private job fair held at a college in Erode, said nearly 700 candidates had received appointment orders, with a total of 229 companies participating.

Earlier, at a function held in Perundurai to mark the death anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the Minister distributed welfare assistance worth ₹16.26 crore to 2,261 beneficiaries.