CM Vijay orders “closure of 717 TASMAC shops near schools, temples and bus stands”
Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has ordered all state-run liquor outlets within 500 metres of sensitive public spaces to shut within two weeks — sparking a nationwide debate on public welfare, prohibition, and state revenue.
The order
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay signed a sweeping executive order on Tuesday directing the closure of 717 government-run TASMAC liquor outlets across the state. Issued just two days after his swearing-in on May 10, 2026, the directive targets shops operating within a 500-metre radius of religious sites, educational institutions, and bus stands. All closures must be completed within two weeks. Of the 717 shops identified through a statewide survey, 276 are near places of worship, 186 near schools and colleges, and 255 near bus terminuses.
Online classes and remote work
The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), which emerged as the single largest party in the recent Assembly elections with 108 seats, had explicitly promised stringent action against alcohol and drug abuse in its manifesto. Tuesday’s order is widely seen as the first concrete step toward honouring that pledge. For years, parents, women’s groups, and social activists had complained of TASMAC outlets functioning metres away from school gates and temple entrances. The government’s swift action has been praised as a clear signal that the Vijay administration intends to deliver on its promises.
“With the welfare of the general public in mind, CM Vijay has issued orders to close 717 retail liquor shops within a 500-metre radius of places of worship, educational institutions and bus stands.” — Official Tamil Nadu Government Release
Revenue at stake
TASMAC is the sole government-authorised alcohol retailer in Tamil Nadu, operating 4,765 outlets statewide and generating a staggering Rs 48,344 crore in revenue in 2025. The 717 shops ordered shut represent roughly 15 percent of that network. The financial impact of their closure is yet to be fully quantified, and the government has not clarified whether the affected outlets will be permanently shut or relocated outside the restricted zones. TASMAC has also been under scrutiny from the Enforcement Directorate over alleged money laundering involving the corporation.
Praise and pushback
The order drew immediate and divided reactions. Actor-politician Kamal Haasan welcomed it warmly, saying Tamil families had long demanded removal of liquor shops near sensitive public spaces. Women’s organisations and residents’ associations celebrated across social media. The opposition DMK, however, was dismissive. Party spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai called it “mere PR,” questioning whether new shops would simply replace the closed ones. Those in the liquor trade employees and distributors connected to the 717 outlets face potential job losses, a concern that has largely been overlooked in the political debate.
What happens next
While the closure has been broadly welcomed, many advocates argue it is only a first step. Several voices have called for the exclusion zone to be extended from 500 metres to 1 kilometre, and civil society groups continue to push for full state-wide prohibition a demand long complicated by TASMAC’s enormous revenue significance. TASMAC has a two-week deadline to execute all 717 closures. The government is expected to announce fiscal adjustments to manage the revenue shortfall, and advocacy groups are certain to intensify pressure for a wider prohibition policy in the weeks ahead.