CM Vijay orders closure of 717 TASMAC liquor shops in TN 

CHENNAI: Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has ordered closure of liquor shops in Tamil Nadu. The order has been issued to close 717 TASMAC liquor shops within a 500-meter radius of places of worship, educational institutions and bus stands across the state in the next two weeks.

According to the state government, there are 4765 retail liquor shops operating under the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) across Tamil Nadu. The officials are conducting inspections across the state to find outlets operating near temples, schools, colleges and bus terminals on the directions of the chief minister.

An inspection found that there are 276 liquor shops near places of worship, 186 near educational institutions and 255 near bus stands. With this, the total number of liquor shops to be closed has reached 717. The officials said the move is to impose strict controls on liquor shops and address public concerns about the proximity of TASMAC outlets in public places.