TN Doubles Aid for Reformed Bootleggers to Rs 1 Lakh, Deploys Drones

The Tamil Nadu government has announced a comprehensive drive to eliminate illicit liquor production, doubling rehabilitation assistance for reformed offenders and deploying surveillance drones and all-terrain vehicles for enforcement across vulnerable regions.

Tabling the Demand for Grants No. 37 for the Home, Prohibition, and Excise departments for the financial year 2026–2027 in the Assembly in Chennai, Minister for Prohibition and Excise K. Vignesh outlined the government's welfare and enforcement initiatives.

Under the economic rehabilitation scheme, the individual financial assistance grant for reformed offenders has been increased from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1,00,000. The government has allocated a total corpus of Rs 10.00 crore for the scheme, which supports individuals who were previously convicted for brewing or smuggling illicit liquor, have served their sentences, and have renounced unlawful activities. The funds are intended to help them set up sustainable self-employment ventures.

To strengthen ground surveillance and enforcement in difficult terrains, the state has earmarked Rs 2.58 crore to equip the Prohibition Enforcement Wing with modern equipment. This includes 10 four-wheel-drive all-terrain vehicles and 10 high-resolution surveillance drones to monitor high-risk forested and hilly tracts across 10 vulnerable districts and cities.

The department is also expanding its digital administration through the ‘e-Kalaal’ platform, supported by an allocation of Rs 1.69 crore. The upgraded system will incorporate modules for licence amendments, surrenders, and cancellations, while streamlining foreign liquor import and beer export permits.

Public awareness initiatives have received an increased budget as well. The statewide awareness campaign fund has been doubled from Rs 5 crore to Rs 10 crore, with an additional Rs 2.00 crore earmarked specifically for digital social media outreach targeting youth.

Additionally, the state will implement a dedicated Methanol Control Policy designed to strictly prevent the diversion of industrial chemicals into clandestine alcohol brewing networks.