Tamil Nadu CM orders closure of over 700 liquor shops
Newly-elected chief minister of India's Tamil Nadu state, Josephy Vijay, has ordered the closure of over 700 state-run liquor shops, according to a press statement released on Tuesday. It marks his first big move since he was sworn-in two days ago. What do we know about the Tamil Nadu TASMAC shop closure?
Josephy Vijay, the newly sworn-in chief minister of Tamil Nadu, has ordered the closure of 717 state-run liquor outlets, a government press release said on Tuesday. The move is the first major decision since he took office two days after the state election results.
The affected stores are run by the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC). Authorities have directed that outlets located within 500 meters of places of worship, educational institutions and bus stands must close within the next two weeks. The government said the measure was taken in the "public's interest" and followed a survey Vijay ordered soon after assuming office to identify shops near the specified areas.
Tamil Nadu currently has 4,765 TASMAC retail liquor outlets in all. The closure order is part of the new administration’s broader campaign promise; Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), ran on a platform that included a pledge for a "drug-free Tamil Nadu."
State elections were held on April 23. The TVK, founded in 2024, emerged as the single largest party in its debut election but fell 10 seats short of an outright majority in the 234-member assembly. Actor-turned-politician Vijay took oath as chief minister after securing enough support to form a government following several days of uncertainty.
Vijay’s rise marks a significant shift in Tamil Nadu politics, which for nearly six decades has been dominated by the two major Dravidian parties, the DMK and the AIADMK. He is scheduled to face a floor test in the state assembly to prove his majority.