Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Tuesday directed authorities to shut down 717 TASMAC liquor outlets located within 500 metres of places of worship, educational institutions, and bus stands across the state within the next two weeks.
Statewide Inspection Reveals Violations
According to the state government, the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) currently operates 4,765 retail liquor shops across Tamil Nadu. Following the chief minister's instructions, officials conducted a comprehensive statewide inspection to identify outlets operating in close proximity to temples, schools, colleges, and bus termini.
The survey uncovered that 276 liquor shops were situated near places of worship, 186 near educational institutions, and 255 close to bus stands. This brings the total number of outlets marked for closure to 717.
Stricter Regulation and Public Concerns
Officials stated that the move aims to ensure stricter regulation of liquor outlets and address growing public concerns over the proximity of TASMAC shops to sensitive public spaces. The closures are expected to be completed within a fortnight, as per the chief minister's directive.
This decision marks a significant step in regulating alcohol sales in Tamil Nadu, where TASMAC is the sole retailer of alcoholic beverages. The government has emphasized its commitment to balancing revenue generation with public welfare and safety.
