Tamil Nadu's state-run liquor retailer TASMAC has launched an online booking system that will allow customers to check liquor availability, view prices, pay online and collect their orders from designated outlets.
The new portal, Tasmace2e.in, will be rolled out across more than 4,000 TASMAC outlets in the state. The move is aimed at improving transparency, reducing complaints of overcharging and making the liquor purchase process more convenient.
The initiative comes after the Madras High Court directed TASMAC and the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) to ensure liquor outlets issue bills, maintain proper records and follow orderly queue management.
Customers will be able to browse available liquor brands, check stock at nearby TASMAC outlets, view the maximum retail price (MRP), make payments online and collect their order from the selected store.
Instead of making payments at the counter, customers will receive a QR code after completing the online transaction, which can be presented at the outlet for order collection.
Customers can access the Tasmace2e.in portal and:
The QR code must be shown at the selected TASMAC outlet to collect the order.
Can customers order from another district?
The portal will allow users to search for outlets within a radius of 5 km to 25 km or locate stores using the outlet number or district name.
According to TASMAC, a customer in Chennai can place an order for pickup at a TASMAC outlet in Tirunelveli or any other district, provided the selected outlet has stock.
Unlike states such as Odisha and West Bengal, Tamil Nadu is not introducing home delivery of liquor.
The new system follows a self-pickup model, meaning customers must visit the selected TASMAC outlet and collect their order by presenting the QR code generated after payment.
How does the new system address overcharging?
One of the primary objectives of the online platform is to curb complaints of customers being charged above the MRP.
Since liquor prices will be displayed on the portal and payments will be completed digitally before pickup, customers will know the exact price payable, reducing the scope for overcharging at retail counters.
Only individuals aged 21 years and above will be allowed to use the online booking facility.
Users will be required to confirm that they meet the legal drinking age before accessing the service.
According to TASMAC officials, the inventory displayed on the portal may be delayed by around 30 minutes.
If a particular brand goes out of stock before an order is processed, customers will either receive a refund or be given the option to select another TASMAC outlet where the product is available.
The online booking system has been developed by the RailTel team that implemented TASMAC's end-to-end computerisation project.
The digital platform is expected to improve inventory visibility, streamline purchases and make liquor sales more transparent across the state's retail network.
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