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Time of India

After ED probe, tipplers rejoice; Tasmac sheds vendor favouritism

Chennai: Tipplers may no longer need to settle for liquor varieties that salespersons 'force-sell' at Tasmac outlets. The management has decided to make all brands equally available to buyers to avoid allegations of favouring one distillery or brewery. The decision comes in the wake of Enforcement Directorate's latest searches and investigation into the alleged scam in Tasmac's operations, including the basis of procurement of liquor from various distilleries and breweries. At least 11 distilleries and six breweries supply Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) and beer varieties to Tasmac, but sources in the state-run company said that the private firm SNJ Distilleries and Breweries account for the major share in both IMFL and beer varieties. The procurement is done based on the three-month weighted average of consignments moved from the depots to the retail shops. After the latest ED searches, Tasmac management asked the district managers and supervisors not to oversell SNJ's liquor varieties, even if there is a demand, and to make other varieties available for buyers. "The idea is to naturally alter the weighted average in the subsequent months to procure more from other distilleries and breweries," said the source. In contrast to varieties of liquor available in the Tasmac outlets in the city, shops in suburbs and districts have fewer choices. "It is difficult to get even a lager beer once you cross the city limits. Shops have only strong beer varieties, of a particular brand," said Vikram Kumar, a resident of Pallavaram. However, district managers and salespersons say they face the wrath of tipplers. "We could not sell variants in stock as the sales of individual brands have been capped at 40%. It has created an imbalance and affects sales. We are answerable if sales dip," said a district manager. Tasmac officials were unavailable for comment. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !