Tamil Nadu Proposes Environmental Cess On Liquor Sales To Fund Waste Management, De-Addiction

Chennai: Buying liquor in Tamil Nadu could soon become costlier, with the State government proposing to levy an Environmental and Social Welfare Cess on the sale of alcoholic liquor to fund waste management, de-addiction programmes and environmental conservation

The Tamil Nadu government on Friday introduced a Bill in the Assembly to amend the Tamil Nadu Value Added Tax Act, 2006, paving the way for the new levy.

Introducing the Bill, Commercial Taxes Minister D Logesh Tamilselvan said the proposed cess was intended to address the growing environmental and social costs associated with alcohol consumption.

He said discarded glass bottles and plastic liquor containers had emerged as a major source of waste, with improper disposal and inadequate recycling contributing to ecological degradation and posing risks to wildlife and public health.

According to the Minister, the cess would be used to fund recycling, safe disposal and reuse of liquor bottles and containers. It would also finance rehabilitation and de-addiction programmes for people affected by alcohol addiction.

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The revenue generated from the levy would further support welfare measures and livelihood assistance for families impacted by alcohol addiction. It would also be used for public awareness campaigns on the harmful effects of alcohol consumption and the environmental hazards arising from the improper disposal of liquor containers.

The government has also proposed to utilise the proceeds for the protection and restoration of forests, wildlife and the broader ecology, besides funding other environmental and social welfare initiatives.