Vijay: No Liquor Near Bus Stops, Shrines, Schools
Although TASMAC liquor shops make up for high revenue for the Tamil Nadu government, there have been calls across party lines to close several of these retail outlets.
Chennai: Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has ordered the permanent closure of 717 liquor retail outlets operating within 500 metres of places of worship, educational institutions and bus stations, citing public welfare concerns. Of the shops slated for closure, 276 are located near places of worship, 186 near educational institutions and 255 near bus stations.
The decision followed a detailed audit conducted by the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac) after the Chief Minister directed officials to identify liquor outlets functioning in restricted zones.
Tamil Nadu has 4,765 Tasmac liquor retail outlets. The audit revealed that 717 shops were operating within the prohibited 500-metre radius of temples, churches, mosques, schools, colleges and bus stations. The Chief Minister has directed authorities to permanently shut down all the identified outlets within the next two weeks.
Government sources said the move is aimed at addressing long-standing public concerns over the proximity of liquor outlets to sensitive public spaces and improving social welfare measures. Officials are expected to begin the closure process immediately, with district administrations and Tasmac authorities coordinating the implementation of the order.
