Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Tuesday ordered the immediate closure of 717 government-run Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited (TASMAC) liquor retail outlets located within a 500-metre radius of places of worship, educational institutions, and bus stations.
It also directed that all shutdowns be completed within two weeks.
The order, issued through an official government communiqué on Tuesday, marks one of the first major administrative decisions by the Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government since it came to power in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
The official letter states that a survey was conducted across Tamil Nadu's 4,765 TASMAC retail outlets to identify shops operating in the proximity of sensitive public spaces. Of the 717 outlets flagged for closure, 276 are near places of worship, 186 near educational institutions, and 255 near bus stations.
The order states that all such shops must shut down within two weeks "in the interest of public welfare." The government has directed officials concerned to ensure compliance within the stipulated deadline.
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Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has ordered the closure of 717 government-run TASMAC liquor retail outlets located within a 500-meter radius of places of worship, educational institutions, and bus stations, within two weeks. pic.twitter.com/1eSSG18V2k
— ANI (@ANI) May 12, 2026
The closure covers roughly 15% of TASMAC's total retail network across the state — a significant move given that TASMAC, holds a complete monopoly over retail liquor sales in Tamil Nadu and is one of the state government's largest revenue generators.
The order also carries political weight. Vijay, who launched TVK in 2024, had made TASMAC reform a cornerstone of his campaign.
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During the campaign, he had accused the previous DMK government of overseeing largescale corruption within the corporation, saying "an entire book on corruption" could be written about its mismanagement. He had also demanded a deep probe, asserting that those responsible — "from small fishes to whales" — must be held accountable.
His party swept the 2026 Assembly elections, and Vijay was sworn in as Chief Minister shortly after. Tuesday's directive suggests he intends to act swiftly on his pre-election commitments, prioritising public welfare over state revenue, and sending early signals of his administration framework.
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