Empty liquor bottle buy-back scheme to be implemented through private agency: T.N. Minister Muthusamy

Tamil Nadu Minister for Housing, Prohibition and Excise S. Muthusamy, on Tuesday (February 3, 2026), said preliminary arrangements were under way to implement an empty liquor bottle buy-back scheme at government-run TASMAC shops through a private agency.

Addressing journalists after paying tributes to former Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai on his 57^th death anniversary, the Minister said the scheme would be carried out in a phased manner. “The government’s objective is to fully implement the scheme through a private agency,” he said.

According to him, it was neither the intention nor the desire of the ruling DMK to have TASMAC liquor shops. The outlets were operating for a long time. The situation could not be changed immediately and reforms would have to be implemented gradually. Contending people addicted to alcohol could not be written off permanently, he claimed the Chief Minister was taking steps to bring about behavioural change among them in a phased manner.

On remarks by Vijay, Nirmala Sitharaman

Responding to remarks against the DMK made by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) founder Vijay, the Minister said political questions should be raised constructively. He added criticism from multiple parties only created opportunities for growth and the public would ultimately decide the stature of political parties.

Asked about Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s reported comments that the DMK government was announcing more free schemes out of fear of Mr. Vijay, Mr. Muthusamy said the very first decision taken after the DMK came to power was to allow women to travel with ‘zero’ cost tickets on buses. “Where was she at that time?” he asked.

The Minister said welfare schemes were framed keeping people’s needs in mind. Referring to the Chief Minister’s breakfast scheme for schoolchildren, he said many families had earlier been unable to provide morning meals, affecting children’s school attendance and education. This had now been addressed.

He said student beneficiaries had hailed the monthly assistance of ₹1,000 for college education. Rejecting claims that the ₹1,000 monthly rights grant to women was only for publicity, he said the amount benefited entire families.

Responding to the criticism that free schemes had increased the State’s debt burden, Mr. Muthusamy said welfare measures should not be viewed merely as expenses. “Loans taken for such schemes should be seen as investments for the future,” he said, adding the growing number of beneficiaries under the breakfast scheme reflected its success.