GUWAHATI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Tuesday, May 12, instructed officials to shut down 717 liquor outlets operating within 500 metres of places of worship, educational institutions, and bus stands across the state over the next two weeks.
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The directive follows a state-wide survey ordered by the chief minister to identify liquor shops located near sensitive public spaces. Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC), which oversees liquor sales in the state, currently operates 4,765 retail outlets.
According to media reports, the inspection found 276 TASMAC shops situated near temples and other places of worship, 186 near schools and colleges, and 255 near bus stands, bringing the total number of outlets flagged for closure to 717.
Government officials said the move is intended to strengthen regulations on liquor sales and address long-standing public concerns about alcohol outlets near educational hubs, religious sites, and public transport centres.
The closures are expected to be completed within the next two weeks as authorities begin implementing the chief minister’s directive across Tamil Nadu.