Tasmac staff are struggling with the bottle buyback system despite returning to work

Consumers who return empty bottles at a Tasmac outlet will 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, implementation of the bottle buyback system continued to pose challenges. Retailers said they were still experiencing technical glitches at cash registers and difficulties handling the empty bottle return system.

“Some people bring up to 10 bottles and ask us to scan them to give them a refund. They even pick up discarded bottles from shops and demand money for them. Tasmac should set a limit on the number of bottles each person can return,” said the shopkeeper. In some outlets, vendors said they were also burdened with the task of pasting QR code stickers on existing liquor stocks. “We have to put QR code stickers on each bottle and at the same time manage the regular sale and buyback process of the bottles,” said the seller.

More than 1,729 supervisors received notices of exhibition events and were asked why they were not operating shops. “About 931 people were issued notices on Sunday (November 1, 2026). On Monday, 241 did not report for work while the rest reported for duty,” a Tasmac source said. “If they don’t report for duty, we will suspend them and hire people from outside,” the source added. About 245 supervisors were suspended. Unions supporting Tasmac called the suspension unfair and said the workers should be reinstated.

The problem started when Tasmac said that with effect from November 1, 2026, the amount of ₹10 that was collected separately for buying back empty bottles will be included in the MRP itself and will be called Environmental and Social Welfare Cess. It stated that no amount beyond the MRP printed on the bottle should be charged from any consumer. Tasmac said that collection of any amount beyond the MRP will be treated as unauthorized collection and serious disciplinary action will be taken against the concerned store staff and supervisory officers who fail to prevent it. Employees protested, claiming they were not given enough time to make the transition.

As of July 2026, Tasmac has 4,048 retail stores and 22,877 employees (6,473 supervisors, 14,379 salespeople and 2,025 assistant salespeople). For the year 2025–26, Tasmac earned ₹50,845 crore.

Published – 03 Nov 2026 23:42 IST