In a major policy decision, newly elected Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has ordered the closure of 717 government-run Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) liquor outlets located within a 500-metre radius of places of worship, educational institutions and bus stands.
Vijay directed officials to shut down these outlets within two weeks, citing public welfare concerns.
Tamil Nadu currently has 4,765 retail liquor outlets operated by TASMAC. Soon after assuming office, the chief minister ordered a statewide survey to identify shops functioning near places of worship, educational institutions, and bus stands.
“In accordance with the aforementioned order, it was identified that 717 retail liquor shops are currently operating within these three specified categories,” an official release said.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has ordered the closure of 717 government-run TASMAC liquor retail outlets located within a 500-meter radius of places of worship, educational institutions, and bus stations, within two weeks. pic.twitter.com/1eSSG18V2k
— ANI (@ANI) May 12, 2026
The outlets marked for closure include 276 shops near places of worship, 186 near educational institutions and 255 near bus stands.
The move comes amid long-standing demands from various political parties and social organisations seeking the closure of liquor shops situated in sensitive public areas, despite TASMAC being a major source of revenue for the state government.
Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), had promised stringent measures against alcohol and drug abuse in Tamil Nadu in its election manifesto.
TASMAC has also been under the scanner of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over alleged money laundering and financial irregularities. Last year, the central agency conducted raids at multiple locations across Tamil Nadu as part of an investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) involving TASMAC and related entities. |
