Fri Mar 14 10:29:41 UTC 2025: ## Tamil Nadu Minister Denies ED’s Rs 1,000 Crore TASMAC Irregularity Claims

**Chennai, [Date of Publication]** – Tamil Nadu Excise Minister V Senthil Balaji vehemently denied allegations of Rs 1,000 crore in irregularities within the state-run liquor sales agency, TASMAC, leveled by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The ED claims, stemming from recent raids, allege manipulation of tenders and unaccounted cash transactions through distillery companies. Balaji countered that the ED’s claims are baseless and politically motivated, timed to coincide with the upcoming budget speech and ongoing disputes between the DMK and BJP over Hindi imposition and delimitation.

Balaji stated that the tenders were conducted online and that the procurement process was transparent, based on average sales data. He attributed the alleged irregularities to bottling firms external to TASMAC, asserting the state government had no involvement. The minister further suggested the ED’s allegations originated from a leak, indirectly criticizing BJP state chief K Annamalai.

The ED’s findings, however, paint a different picture. They allege manipulation of tenders, preferential treatment to certain distilleries, inflated expenses, and fabricated purchases resulting in the siphoning off of Rs 1,000 crore. The opposition AIADMK, walking out of the assembly during the budget speech, escalated the accusations, claiming the scam could be worth as much as Rs 40,000 crore and demanding the resignation of Chief Minister MK Stalin. The BJP, while also criticizing the DMK, has focused its attention primarily on the Hindi imposition and delimitation issues.

Balaji’s statement also addressed his reinstatement as minister following bail in a separate corruption case, a matter that previously raised eyebrows within the Supreme Court. His legal team will reportedly address these concerns separately. The accusations have ignited a significant political firestorm in the poll-bound state.

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