The Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) to install CCTV cameras at every liquor outlet across the State, with footage to be monitored from regional offices to strengthen administrative oversight.
The direction was issued by Justice B Pugalendhi of the Madurai Bench while disposing of five petitions filed by TASMAC employees challenging their transfer orders in Sachidanandam v. Managing Director.
The Court also welcomed TASMAC’s proposal to introduce a transparent counselling mechanism for employee transfers, observing that the initiative could help resolve several administrative issues within the corporation.
“The respondents shall ensure proper administration in the TASMAC shops by installing CCTV cameras in all the shops and the same shall also be monitored from the Regional Offices,” the Court directed.
Transfer dispute exposes administrative concerns
The case arose after five TASMAC employees, including salesmen and a supervisor working at an outlet in Thiruvaiyaru, Thanjavur district, challenged transfer orders issued on January 9, 2025.
The employees alleged that their transfers were prompted by another employee, Govindaraj. They claimed that one of the petitioners, Kodeeswaran, had lodged a complaint against him before the TASMAC District Manager in Thanjavur on August 28, 2024, and that the subsequent transfers were connected to that complaint.
On February 5, 2025, the High Court stayed the transfers on an interim basis and directed TASMAC to allow the employees to continue working at their original outlet.
TASMAC subsequently disputed receiving the complaint. The district manager maintained that there was no material establishing its receipt, while the employees produced a copy bearing the seal of the district manager’s office.
Taking note of the conflicting claims, the Court directed the TASMAC Managing Director on September 3 to conduct an inquiry into the complaint.
Court backs transparent transfer policy
During the subsequent hearing, the Managing Director submitted a report stating that TASMAC intended to introduce a transparent transfer counselling process for its employees.
The Court welcomed the proposal, noting that a more transparent mechanism could help address administrative difficulties within the corporation.
“This would certainly resolve many problems in the TASMAC,” the Court observed while disposing of the petitions.
With the directions on CCTV surveillance and the proposed transfer policy, the Court emphasised the need for better oversight of TASMAC outlets and greater transparency in the corporation’s administrative functioning.