The strike, triggered by opposition to an additional Rs 10 cess on liquor bottles under a buyback scheme, has disrupted sales across Tamil Nadu, prompting TASMAC to initiate disciplinary action against employees for unauthorised closure of outlets.Employees are protesting against a newly introduced environmental and social welfare cess that requires consumers to pay an additional Rs 10 per bottle under a buyback scheme. (Representative image) Tamil Nadu's state-run liquor retailer TASMAC has issued show-cause notices to 1,729 employees and suspended 245 shop supervisors as most of its outlets remained closed for the second consecutive day on Monday amid a staff strike, Press Trust of India reported.Employees are protesting against a newly introduced environmental and social welfare cess that requires consumers to pay an additional Rs 10 per bottle under a buyback scheme.A senior Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation official told PTI on Tuesday that the action covered several regions, including Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Salem and Tiruchirappalli.The Chennai region recorded 169 suspensions among the employees who received 341 show-cause notices. Thiruvallur East accounted for 61 suspensions, Chennai Central for 50 and Chennai North for 58.

In the Salem region, 459 show-cause notices were issued, including 155 in Salem and 153 in Namakkal. Seventy-five employees were suspended in Krishnagiri district.The Tiruchirappalli region accounted for 418 notices, including 185 in Tiruchirappalli district and 175 in Pudukkottai district.

In the Madurai region, 475 notices were issued, including 247 in Tirunelveli district, 120 in Madurai North and 101 in Theni district.Overall, 931 notices were issued on November 1 and another 798 on November 2.The TASMAC administration said unauthorised closure of retail outlets disrupted public services and that disciplinary action would continue against employees found responsible.Most TASMAC outlets across Tamil Nadu thus remained closed for a second day as the strike continued, prompting the corporation to issue 1,729 notices and suspend 245 supervisors.- Ends