The festive spirit lit up not just homes but also the cash conters of the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC), which recorded a staggering Rs 789.85 crore in liquor sales over the three-day Diwali weekend — Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.
According to TASMAC officials, the state operates 4,829 liquor outlets, generating an average daily sale of around Rs150 crore. On regular weekends, sales typically cross Rs 200 crore, and during festive occasions such as Diwali, they often surge to Rs250 crore or more.
With Diwali falling on a Monday this year, the extended holiday weekend led to a sharp spike in consumption. Officials confirmed that the total sales between October 19 and 21 amounted to Rs789.85 crore, marking one of the highest-ever festive turnovers for TASMAC.
In comparison, Diwali sales last year stood at Rs 235.94 crore, while this year saw an increase of nearly Rs 30 crore, reflecting the growing demand during celebrations.
Among the zones, Madurai topped the list with sales worth Rs 170.64 crore, followed by Chennai at Rs158.25 crore, Trichy at Rs 157.31 crore, Salem at Rs 153.34 crore, and Coimbatore at Rs 150.31 crore.
Officials attributed the surge to the long weekend, festive gatherings, and extended store hours across major cities and towns. They said additional staff were deployed to manage the rush and ensure uninterrupted supply.
