Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has ordered the closure of 717 state-run liquor retail outlets located within a 500-metre radius of places of worship, educational institutions, and bus stations. The directive must be implemented within two weeks. According to a Business Standard report, the shops are operated by Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) and number about 4,765 in the state. Of these, 276 are near places of worship, 186 are near educational institutions, and 255 are near bus stands. The closures account for nearly 15% of the state's alcohol stores.
The government has also instructed all TASMAC outlets to strictly enforce the legal drinking age of 21 and verify customers' ages before selling alcohol. Officials have stated that liquor shop employees are required to check identity documents, including Aadhaar cards, whenever there is doubt about a buyer's age. This move is part of the new administration's broader push to tighten alcohol regulations and limit easy access to liquor.
This is not the first time the state government has ordered the closure of liquor shops. Tamil Nadu has several instances in its political history where governments have ordered liquor shop closures, imposed prohibition, or significantly restricted alcohol sales. Alcohol consumption is injurious to health, which is why many Indian states where alcohol is completely banned are referred to as dry states. Here is a look at five such states.
Bihar
In Bihar, the alcohol ban was implemented in 2016 under the Bihar Excise (Amendment) Act, during the tenure of then Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The motive was to reduce alcoholism and its harmful effects on society at large.
Nagaland
In Nagaland, alcohol is banned under the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act, 1989. The law prohibits the sale, possession, consumption, and manufacture of alcoholic beverages across the state.
Mizoram
Mizoram's alcohol policies are somewhat complex. The Mizoram Liquor Total Prohibition Act, 1995 prohibited the sale and consumption of alcohol since 1997. However, in 2007, the MLTP Act was amended to allow wine made from guavas and grapes, with restrictions on alcohol content and volume possessed. Currently, the Mizoram Liquor (Prohibition and Control) Act is in force, and the state is listed among dry states.
Gujarat
In Gujarat, alcohol has been banned since 1960. The state was formed after the bifurcation of the former Bombay state. The Bombay Prohibition Act of 1949 continues to be enforced in Gujarat, making the manufacture, sale, and consumption of alcohol illegal.
Lakshadweep
In Lakshadweep, alcohol is only permitted on Bangaram Island, which is designated as a tourism zone. It may be available at select approved resorts or licensed vessels. On most inhabited islands, alcohol remains prohibited. For tourists, carrying alcohol into these regions, even if purchased legally elsewhere, is also an offence under local regulations.
Temporary Alcohol Bans
According to government legal rules, even in places where alcohol is legally sold, temporary bans apply on national holidays, election days and counting days, major public events, and large gatherings or festivals, as declared by local authorities.
