The Tamil Nadu government has decided to hike the salaries of TASMAC employees by 25%, a move aimed at curbing corruption and preventing customers from being charged extra for liquor bottles. The decision comes as part of the government's efforts to reform the functioning of state-run liquor shops. According to the government, the salary increase is expected to discourage the practice of collecting an additional 10 rupees per bottle from customers, a complaint that has frequently surfaced at TASMAC outlets. The government believes that better wages will reduce corruption and improve accountability across TASMAC shops. The revised pay structure is expected to improve employee welfare while addressing long-standing complaints of overcharging. The announcement comes months after Chief Minister Joseph Vijay ordered the closure of 717 TASMAC liquor outlets operating within 500 meters of places of worship, educational institutions, and bus stands. The closures were projected by the government as a social reform measure to reduce easy access to liquor in sensitive public spaces. The decision drew support from across the political spectrum, with actor-politician Kamal Haasan welcoming the move and saying the government should continue shutting more liquor shops and take greater responsibility for regulating alcohol sales. Congress MP Manickam Tagore also welcomed the decision, calling it a response to a long-standing public demand and saying it would improve the safety of women, students, and the general public.