CHENNAI: Employees of Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac) cannot insist on continuing at shops of their choice. The govt ordered a statewide manpower rationalisation exercise. District managers have been directed to shift surplus staffers to outlets facing shortages and complete the exercise by Nov 30.In a circular, Tasmac headquarters directed senior regional managers and district managers to implement the Transfer and Posting Policy for Liquor Retail Vending Shop Personnel, 2026. Approved at the corporation’s 224th board meeting on Sept 29, the policy came into effect on Nov 1.The exercise will cover salesmen and assistant salesmen at retail outlets in all 38 districts. Shops will be classified as A, B or C based on their average daily sales in Sept 2026. The prescribed minimum manpower for each category will determine staffing requirements.“District managers have been instructed to assess the available workforce, identify shops with excess staff and vacancies, and prepare a list for redeployment. The classification list issued by headquarters will be final and cannot be altered by regional or district officials,” said an official.Employees who have completed three years at a shop as of Nov 1 will be considered for transfer. Seniority will be determined by date of joining, followed by date of birth and higher educational qualification. Leave, suspension and breaks in attendance will also count towards the tenure.“The district manager’s decision on redeployment will be final. Employees completing the prescribed tenure cannot continue at the same shop without prior approval from the senior regional manager under specified circumstances,” said an official.Tasmac will bring back employees working in district depots and other locations outside retail outlets and post them to shops facing shortages. District managers have been asked to complete this exercise in the first fortnight of November.Shop classification and manpower assessment must be completed by Nov 15. Transfer orders and joining at new locations must be completed by Nov 25. District managers must submit compliance reports by November 28, with consolidated reports reaching headquarters before Nov 30.The reports must detail category-wise manpower requirements and availability, redeployments, employees allowed to continue with special approval, and shops remaining below the prescribed minimum strength, along with reasons.
