Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay Orders Closure of 717 Liquor Shops Near Temples and Schools

Newly elected Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has ordered the closure of 717 state-run liquor outlets located near temples, schools, and bus stands across the state, marking one of the first major policy decisions of his administration. The order directs the shutdown of all affected shops operated by Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation, commonly known as TASMAC, within two weeks. The move is being viewed as the beginning of Vijay’s broader campaign promise to build an “addiction-free” Tamil Nadu following his party’s victory in the recent Assembly elections.

According to an official government statement, the liquor outlets identified for closure are situated within a 500-metre radius of places of worship, educational institutions, and major transport hubs. Authorities stated that 276 TASMAC shops are located near religious places, 186 near educational institutions, and 255 near bus stands. TASMAC currently operates a total of 4,765 liquor outlets across Tamil Nadu, making it one of the state government’s biggest revenue-generating institutions. Officials said the closures were ordered with public welfare and social concerns in mind.

The decision comes shortly after Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam formed the government in Tamil Nadu following a dramatic post-election political process. Although the party emerged as the single-largest force with 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly, it initially fell short of the majority mark. The government was eventually formed after support from the Congress party, Left parties, and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi helped secure the required numbers. Vijay later resigned from one of the two constituencies he had won, reducing the party’s tally by one seat.

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The closure order reflects a long-standing cross-party debate in Tamil Nadu regarding alcohol sales and public health concerns. Despite repeated demands for tighter restrictions or phased prohibition, TASMAC liquor sales contribute significantly to the state’s finances. In 2025 alone, the corporation reportedly generated revenue exceeding Rs 48,000 crore, making it a critical source of income for the government. Analysts say Vijay’s decision attempts to balance social reform messaging with the practical realities of maintaining state revenue, at least during the initial phase of his administration.

TASMAC has also remained under intense scrutiny over the past year following investigations by the Enforcement Directorate into alleged financial irregularities and money laundering. The agency conducted multiple raids at TASMAC-linked premises ahead of the Assembly elections and claimed to have uncovered evidence of manipulated tenders, irregular licence allocations, and unaccounted cash transactions worth nearly Rs 1,000 crore. Investigators also alleged that some TASMAC outlets imposed illegal surcharges on liquor bottles with the involvement of officials and associated entities.

The investigations triggered a major political controversy under the previous Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government, with state leaders accusing the Enforcement Directorate of political targeting. The matter later reached the Supreme Court of India, where questions were raised about federal jurisdiction and the powers of central agencies to investigate state-run institutions. Against this backdrop, Vijay’s decision to shut selected liquor outlets is being seen not only as a social policy move but also as an attempt to distance the new administration from controversies surrounding TASMAC operations. Political observers believe the government’s future actions regarding alcohol regulation and TASMAC reforms will be closely watched across the state.

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