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CM Vijay Orders Closure of 717 Liquor Shops Near Worship Places, Schools, Bus Stands in Tamil Nadu Within 2 Weeks
The order affects 717 outlets, including 276 near places of worship, 186 near educational institutions and 255 near bus terminuses, officials said.
On Tuesday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay ordered the closure of 717 state-run TASMAC liquor retail outlets located within a 500-meter radius of places of worship, educational institutions, and bus stands.
This directive marks Vijay's first major administrative decision after taking office, aiming to regulate liquor sales near sensitive public spaces and improve public welfare across the State.
Officials identified 276 shops near temples, 186 near educational institutions, and 255 near bus terminuses that must close within the next two weeks to comply with the mandate.
The state currently operates 4,765 TASMAC retail liquor shops, making this closure action one of the largest coordinated outlet reductions in recent years for the corporation.
Vijay signed the order just days after his May 10 swearing-in ceremony, with the Chief Minister taking his oath as a legislator in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on May 11 alongside Cabinet Ministers.