Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Tuesday directed authorities to shut down 717 government-run TASMAC liquor outlets located close to schools, places of worship and bus stands.
The decision comes months after Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, promised to work towards a drug-free Tamil Nadu in its election manifesto.
According to an official statement, the Chief Minister had instructed officials to conduct inspections and identify liquor outlets functioning within a 500-metre radius of educational institutions, religious places and bus stations.
Following the statewide review, authorities found 717 TASMAC shops operating within the restricted distance. Vijay has now ordered officials to close all these outlets within two weeks.
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பொதுமக்கள் நலன் கருதி வழிபாட்டுத்தலங்கள், கல்வி நிறுவனங்கள் மற்றும் பேருந்து நிலையங்கள் அருகிலிருந்து 500 மீட்டர் வரை அமைந்துள்ள 717 மதுபான சில்லறை விற்பனைக் கடைகளை
— CMOTamilNadu (@CMOTamilnadu) May 12, 2026
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At present, the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation, widely known as Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation, manages 4,765 liquor retail stores across the state. The statement further detailed the category-wise breakup of the shops marked for closure. Out of the 717 outlets, 276 shops were found near places of worship, 186 near educational institutions and 255 near bus stands.
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Focus on drug-free Tamil Nadu
The crackdown on liquor outlets near public spaces aligns with the broader promise made by TVK during the election campaign.
The party had pledged to strengthen measures against substance abuse and improve public safety, particularly around schools and crowded public areas.
