Tasmac staff struggle with bottle buyback scheme despite returning to work

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Consumers returning empty bottles at a Tasmac outlet to receive a refund of ₹10 per bottle. | Photo Credit: R. Ragu

While most Tasmac employees returned to work on Tuesday, bringing some relief to liquor sales across the State, the rollout of the bottle buyback scheme continued to pose challenges. Salesmen said they were still grappling with technical glitches in POS machines and difficulties in handling the empty bottle return system.

“Some people bring as many as 10 bottles and ask us to scan them for a refund. They even pick up bottles discarded around the shops and demand money for them. Tasmac should impose a limit on the number of bottles each person can return,” a salesman said. At some outlets, salesmen said they were also burdened with the task of affixing QR code stickers to existing liquor stocks. “We have to put QR code stickers on every bottle while simultaneously handling regular sales and the bottle buyback process,” a salesman said.

Over 1,729 supervisors received show causes notice and were questioned on why they did nt operate shops. “Around 931 people were issued memos on Sunday (November 1, 2026). On Monday, 241 did not turn up for work, while the rest reported for duty,” said a source at Tasmac. “If they fail to report for duty, we will suspend them and recruit people from outside,” the source added. Around 245 supervisors were suspended. Unions supporting Tasmac called the suspension unfair and said that the workers should be reinstated.

The problem started when Tasmac said that with effect November 1, 2026, the amount of ₹10 that was collected separately towards the Buy-Back of empty bottles stands included within the MRP itself and will be called Environmental and Social Welfare Cess. It said that no amount whatsoever shall be collected from any consumer over and above the MRP printed on the bottle. Tasmac said that collecting any amount over and above the MRP shall be treated as an unauthorised collection and serious disciplinary action will be taken against the shop personnel concerned and against the supervisory officers who fail to prevent it. Workers protested saying that they were not given adequate time for this transition.

As on July 2026, Tasmac has 4,048 retail vending shops and a workforce of 22,877 (6,473 supervisors, 14,379 salespersons, and 2,025 assistant salespersons). For the year 2025-2026, Tasmac earned a revenue of ₹50,845 crore.

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