Chennai: Tipplers in Chennai will have to wait longer for Tasmac's end-to-end computerised billing system. The management has prioritised districts with lower sales, aiming to exhaust existing stock without QR codes first.
The system is currently live in Kancheepuram, Chengalpet, Arakkonam, and Ramanathapuram, despite initial glitches. In the next phase, Tasmac may roll out the system in four more districts, including Sivagangai and Trichy, after resolving issues.
"We're monitoring efficiency and rectifying problems. If all goes well, the system will be expanded after this weekend," Tasmac sources said.
Since the existing stock without QR codes at retail vending shops should be moved out before the end-to-end computerisation process is implemented, districts registering high sales such as Chennai have been kept in the last phase. This is because all the existing stock will be moved to the districts to exhaust them before the stock is replenished with QR-coded bottles. While Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) is dispatched from the bottling unit itself with QR codes, imported liquor is coded and scanned at depots and sent to retail shops. Tasmac wants to implement the QR system in all shops across the state by Dec.
Many shops in Chengalpet and Kancheepuram had limited stock when the system was rolled out, and tipplers could not buy their favourite liquor. "I was not provided a bill and was charged extra over the MRP," said Ganesh A, a private firm employee, who purchased liquor at an elite shop in Kilkattalai. He said all Tasmac outlets should display the contact numbers to report violations.
"Such illegal practices will be curbed during periodical inspections, and MRP violations will be strictly dealt with," said an official.
Tasmac officials maintained that distilleries have scaled up production and 100% stock will be ensured by this weekend.
Following complaints of dip in liquor sales during peak hours, Tasmac management has asked RailTail, the software developer, to create separate channels to record data of distilleries/breweries, depots, and retail vending shops.