New Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, New 'Liquor Ban': Vijay Shuts 717 Shops
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay has ordered the closure of 717 state-run liquor shops within 500 metres of temples, school, and bus stands across the state.
"With the welfare of the general public in mind, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, C Joseph Vijay, has issued orders to close - within two weeks - 717 retail liquor shops situated within a 500-meter radius of places of worship, educational institutions, and bus stands."
TASMAC currently operates 4,765 liquor shops in the state, 276 are near places of worship, 186 are near educational institutions, and 255 are near bus stands," the government said.
The closure order echoes cross-party sentiment despite TASMAC liquor sales making up a large chunk of the state's revenue. In 2025, for example, total revenue was over Rs 48,000 crore.
And it is the first step in Vijay's promise for an 'addiction-free' Tamil Nadu.