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Tamil Nadu's Diwali Liquor Boom: Record ₹790 Crore Sales Amid Festive Rush

Tamil Nadu witnessed unprecedented liquor sales during this Diwali season. TASMAC recorded a massive ₹790 crore in just three days leading up to the festival. The sales surge was driven by festival bonuses and extended celebrations across the state. This represents a significant ₹140 crore increase compared to last year's Diwali sales figures.

Key Points: TASMAC Records ₹790 Crore Diwali Liquor Sales in Tamil Nadu

  • Diwali weekend sales hit ₹789.85 crore across 4,787 TASMAC outlets
  • Madurai zone led with ₹171 crore followed by Chennai at ₹158 crore
  • Festival bonuses and extended celebrations drove unprecedented demand
  • Sales show steady growth from ₹230 crore in 2018 to current record
2 min read

TASMAC registers record ₹790 crore alcohol sales in TN during Diwali festivities

Tamil Nadu's TASMAC reports record ₹790 crore alcohol sales during Diwali weekend, marking ₹140 crore increase from last year's festive season.

"Beginning on the Saturday before Diwali, liquor outlets witnessed long queues from noon until closing time at 10 p.m. - TASMAC Report"

Chennai, Oct 22

Diwali brought cheer not just to revellers but also to the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC), which reported record liquor sales worth ₹789.85 crore in the three days leading up to the festival.

The spike in demand was attributed to festive bonuses, extended celebrations, and the long weekend that preceded the holiday.

TASMAC, which operates 4,787 retail outlets across the state, typically records an average daily sale exceeding ₹150 crore. However, on special occasions and weekends, the figure often rises sharply — and this year’s Diwali rush proved to be one of the highest ever.

With employees from both government and private sectors receiving their festival bonuses, customers had extra cash in hand, prompting many to celebrate lavishly.

Beginning on the Saturday before Diwali, liquor outlets witnessed long queues from noon until closing time at 10 p.m. as customers stocked up for the celebrations. The surge in crowd volume even caused temporary disruptions in sales at several outlets due to the overwhelming turnout.

According to official figures, TASMAC sold ₹789.85 crore worth of liquor between Saturday and Monday — a significant increase from the ₹650 crore recorded during the same period last year.

This represents an impressive ₹140 crore year-on-year jump in festive sales.

District-wise, the Madurai zone led the sales chart with ₹171 crore, followed closely by Chennai (₹158 crore), Tiruchirappalli (₹157 crore), Salem (₹153 crore), and Coimbatore (₹150 crore).

In comparison, the figures during earlier Diwali seasons were far lower — ₹230.66 crore in 2018, ₹293.73 crore in 2019, and ₹266.06 crore in 2020, reflecting a steady and sharp upward trend over the years.

TASMAC, a state-run enterprise that contributes substantially to Tamil Nadu’s revenue, is once again under focus for the social and economic implications of such massive liquor consumption. While the state exchequer benefits from the soaring sales, public health experts continue to express concern over the growing drinking culture linked to festival spending patterns.

At present, however, the record-breaking numbers underscore how Diwali continues to light up not just homes across Tamil Nadu but also the state’s liquor trade coffers.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
₹790 crore in just 3 days! That's insane money. While it's good for state revenue, we need to think about the social costs. Many families suffer due to excessive drinking during festivals. 🎆
A
Arjun K
Saw the queues myself in Chennai - unbelievable! People were buying like there's no tomorrow. Festival bonus money definitely flowing into TASMAC. Hope everyone celebrated responsibly though! 🥂
S
Sarah B
As someone who recently moved to Chennai, I'm shocked by these numbers. Back home, festivals are more about community and traditions. The commercialization of Diwali through alcohol sales is quite sad to see.
V
Vikram M
Madurai leading with ₹171 crore! Not surprising given our love for celebrations. But we must remember the true spirit of Diwali - victory of light over darkness, not drowning in alcohol. Let's keep our traditions meaningful.
M
Michael C
The revenue numbers are impressive, but what about the healthcare costs? The government earns from liquor sales but spends on treating alcohol-related diseases. Short-term gain vs long-term pain situation.

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