Chennai: Customers buying liquor worth more than Rs 1,000 at TASMAC outlets will have to pay digitally from November 1, as the corporation introduces a phased payment reform across its 4,048 retail shops to tackle overcharging and strengthen financial accountability.

Source: IANS via hi INDiA

The mandatory digital payment threshold will be reduced to purchases exceeding Rs 500 from January 1, 2027. The move seeks to reduce cash handling at outlets while creating transaction records that can help identify discrepancies and support complaints from customers.

Citing an official circular, a senior TASMAC official told PTI that although UPI, debit card and credit card payments are already accepted, most transactions are still made in cash. Handling large amounts of physical currency daily has created operational hurdles for shop staff, including safety risks during cash transit, account discrepancies and the risk of counterfeit currency, the official said.

Source: PTI via The Hindu BusinessLine

Payments only through official POS machines, bill for every purchase

Setting out the new requirements in a circular issued on Monday, TASMAC Managing Director K. Nanthakumar directed district managers to prepare outlets for implementation. Payments through UPI, debit cards and credit cards must be processed using point-of-sale machines connected to the corporation's designated bank account.

Employees have been strictly barred from accepting customer payments through personal UPI IDs, individual QR codes or private bank accounts. Employees must issue a bill for every purchase and ensure that the amount collected matches the applicable maximum retail price, and district managers must check that POS machines function properly and arrange training for employees.

The decision follows complaints that customers are being charged above the maximum retail price of liquor bottles. Customers buying liquor worth up to Rs 1,000 can continue to pay either in cash or through digital modes until the next phase begins.