The Madras High Court recently directed the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) to install CCTV cameras in all its liquor shops across the State and ensure that footage is monitored from its regional offices. [Sachidanandam v. Managing Director]
Justice B Pugalendhi of the Madurai Bench issued the direction while disposing of five petitions filed by TASMAC employees challenging their transfers.
The Court said that CCTV surveillance was necessary to ensure proper administration of liquor shops.
"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 ordered.
The case arose from the transfer of five employees working as salesmen and supervisor at a TASMAC Shop in Thiruvaiyaru, Thanjavur district.
The employees challenged transfer orders issued on January 9, 2025, alleging that they had been transferred at the instance of another employee, Govindaraj. According to the petitioners, one of them, Kodeeswaran, had lodged a complaint against Govindaraj before the TASMAC District Manager in Thanjavur on August 28, 2024. They alleged that their subsequent transfers to different locations were prompted by this complaint.
On February 5, 2025, the High Court had granted an interim stay on the transfers. The Court also directed TASMAC to allow them to continue working at their original shop.
However, TASMAC subsequently disputed the receipt of the complaint.
The district manager maintained that there was no material to establish that the complaint dated August 28, 2024, had been received. The petitioners, on the other hand, produced a copy of the complaint bearing the seal of the district manager's office. Taking note of the discrepancy, the Court on September 3 directed the TASMAC Managing Director to conduct an inquiry into the complaint.
When the matter was subsequently heard, the Managing Director submitted a report indicating that TASMAC intended to introduce a transparent transfer counselling process for its employees. The Court welcomed the proposal, observing that such a mechanism could address several administrative problems within the corporation.
"This would certainly resolve many problems in the TASMAC," the Court observed while disposing of the petitions.
Advocate K Navaneetharaja represented the petitioners.
Advocate H Arumugam appeared for TASMAC.
[Read Judgment]