The Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) has on Sunday announced a new tariff for liquors by increasing their prices. The price hike has come into effect on Monday - March 7. In what has become the first hike since May 2020, the hike has surged the price of liquor by Rs 10. While the hike has shocked the boozers, the government has said that the hike will generate additional revenue of Rs 4,396 crore. 

As per the hike, ordinary variety liquor sold in 180 ml bottles will raise by Rs 10 per bottle. Premium and medium variety alcoholic beverages for 180 ml bottles will have a hike of Rs 20 per bottle. The statement from TASMAC said that the cost of beer will increase by Rs 10 per bottle. The price hike has come days after the Madras High Court had ordered that bars attached to TASMAC liquor outlets be shut within six months. 

The court noted that the law won't permit TASMAC to run bars attached to liquor shops. Justice Saravanan has also said that TASMAC has no authority to encourage the consumption of alcohol in public places or so-called bars which are being auctioned to the highest bidders. It further said that TASMAC is a wholesale and retail dealer and it cannot run a bar by itself directly or indirectly and that it cannot promote the consumption of liquor by consumers and be seen in public places. 

Amid the hike coming into effect, boozers have been opposing it, though they line up to buy liquors. Tamil Nadu BJP President Annamalai had slammed the state government for increasing the price of liquors. He said that the prices of milk and curd were raised after the urban local body polls and now the prices of liquors are hiked. He further said that it seems that the DMK has finally brought a dawning rule in the state as it has promised. Reacting to Annamalai's comment, a boozers union in the state had welcomed Annamalai's remark on the liquor price hike and conveyed its thanks to him for raising his voice against the price hike.