Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has ordered the closure of 717 Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) liquor retail outlets. The directive mandates the shutdown of these shops located within a 500-meter radius of educational institutions, places of worship, and bus stations across the state. The closures are to be completed within two weeks.
The Chief Minister’s office stated that the decision was taken in the interest of public welfare. Following the Chief Minister’s instructions, a survey was conducted to identify TASMAC shops operating in close proximity to sensitive areas. This audit revealed that 717 outlets fall within the specified radius.
Breakdown of Closures
The 717 shops marked for closure include 276 located near places of worship, 186 near educational institutions, and 255 situated near bus stands. This move is among the first significant administrative decisions taken by Chief Minister Vijay after assuming office.
Broader Context of TASMAC Shops
Tamil Nadu has a total of 4,765 TASMAC retail liquor shops operating across the state. TASMAC, a state government-owned entity, has historically been a significant revenue generator for the Tamil Nadu government. However, the presence and operation of these outlets have often been a subject of public grievance and political debate. Previous administrations have also undertaken measures to reduce the number of liquor shops. In 2016 and 2017, similar directives led to the closure of 500 liquor outlets each time. The Madras High Court has also previously upheld policy decisions related to such closures.
The decision also comes in the context of the ruling party’s manifesto, which had promised efforts to make Tamil Nadu a drug-free state. The Enforcement Directorate has also previously scrutinized TASMAC operations in connection with alleged financial irregularities.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
