It's not superstar Rajinikanth's Petta or Ajith's Viswasam, but the state-owned liquor retailer TASMAC that has emerged winner during the just-concluded Pongal holidays in terms of collection.
According to sources, Pongal festival witnessed tipplers across the State flocking to the thousands of government-owned liquor outlets, pushing sales to nearly Rs 600 crore. "Rs 600 crore was not at all expected. The actual target was much below than that," sources added. In the four days between 12 and 15 January, Rs 500 crore liquor was sold in the State.
According to officials, on the normal weekend, the sales will be about Rs 80 crore per day. “This year the Pongal festival came just after the weekend and therefore the sales have increased,” he added. A TASMAC official said that for Pongal festival alone, there was 60 per cent sale of brandy. Whisky, wine, Vodka and beer items accounted for 40 per cent of sales.
As per the break-up of figures available, on Bhogi night, the sale touched Rs 120 crore. Pongal day saw around Rs 140 crore of liquor sale in Tamil Nadu. Kaanum Pongal witnessed about Rs 150 crore sale till evening. Sales are expected to go high again this weekend.
