Tamil Nadu government orders closure of 717 state-run liquor outlets near schools and temples

Newly elected Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay has issued a directive ordering the closure of 717 state-run TASMAC liquor outlets within a two-week timeframe. This decision represents the first major policy move by the actor-turned-politician since being sworn in on 6 May, following the state elections held on 23 April. The move is framed by the administration as a measure taken in the public interest to uphold the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party's election pledge for a "drug-free Tamil Nadu".

The specific targets of this administrative action are outlets situated within a 500-metre radius of sensitive public spaces. According to a press statement released by the Tamil Nadu government, the 717 closures are broken down into 276 shops near places of worship, 186 near educational institutions, and 255 near bus depots. The directive mandates that these specific retail points cease operations immediately, reflecting a strict interpretation of the party's campaign promises regarding social welfare and public morality.

This regulatory intervention comes as the TVK party, which was founded in 2024, prepares to face a vote of confidence in the state assembly. Although the party emerged as the single largest faction in the 234-member assembly, it fell short of an outright majority and requires the support of other parties to formalise the new government. The decision to close these outlets arrives during this period of political consolidation, signalling a potential shift in the state's governance style away from the long-standing duopoly of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).

The Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) currently operates a total of 4,765 retail outlets across the state. The directive to close 717 of these represents approximately 15 per cent of the total network, a significant contraction in the state's alcohol retail infrastructure. Officials have indicated that a survey was ordered immediately after Vijay took charge to identify outlets functioning in proximity to the specified areas, ensuring that the closures are based on verified locations rather than arbitrary selection.

While the directive sets a clear deadline of two weeks for the shutdowns, the implementation relies on the logistical capacity of the state machinery to execute the closures across the southern state. The decision underscores the new administration's intent to prioritise public welfare over commercial continuity in specific zones, aiming to reduce alcohol consumption in areas frequented by students and worshippers. As the government navigates its first major legislative test, this policy action establishes an early precedent for the TVK's approach to social regulation.