Chennai: In a significant move fulfilling Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's election promise, the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac) has shut down 717 retail liquor outlets located within 500 meters of educational institutions and places of worship across the state. The exercise, however, was completed nearly 10 days after the stipulated two-week deadline.
Review and Expansion of Closure List
Prohibition and Excise Minister K Vignesh informed TOI that the original list of identified shops underwent a review and corrections. “We added high-volume shops with daily sales of ₹25 lakh to the closure list. The process was carried out with due consideration for the public, without regard for revenue loss,” he stated. He added that the progress was updated to Chief Minister Vijay during a review meeting at the Secretariat on Friday.
Final Day and Staff Redeployment
On the final day alone, 107 shops were closed to meet the target. Tasmac management has instructed district authorities to redeploy workers from closed shops to alternative outlets. Additionally, district managers of Karur, Dharmapuri, Arakkonam, Krishnagiri, Erode, and Vellore were transferred for administrative reasons.
Breakdown of Closures
Statewide, the closures include 472 outlets with attached bars, 224 standalone shops, and 21 imported liquor stores. The Madurai region witnessed the highest number of closures, with 290 out of its 1,208 shops shut down.
In the Chennai region, initially 95 shops were identified, but only 82 were closed—comprising 4 imported liquor shops, 63 with attached bars, and 15 standalone outlets. Following these closures, the total number of Tasmac liquor vending outlets in the Chennai region, covering Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpet, has reduced to 673.
About the Author
Venkadesan S is a Special Correspondent covering electricity, aviation, information commission, central investigation agencies, and metro rail.
