Chennai: In his first big administrative action since taking charge, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister S. Joseph Vijay on Tuesday directed that 717 retail stores selling alcohol through state-controlled agencies be closed immediately, as they were located within the proximity of 500 meters of places of worship, educational institutions, and bus depots.
This decision came just two days after Vijay, who is a well-known actor turned politician and the leader of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), took oath as the new Chief Minister after winning a historic election that put an end to the Dravidian party monopoly.
Targeted Efforts
As per an official press statement issued by the State Secretariat, the Chief Minister had ordered an urgent audit of the existing Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) shop network, which consists of 4,765 outlets. The survey found several shops in violation of the proximity guidelines:
- 276 shops located near places of worship.
- 186 shops situated near schools and colleges.
- 255 shops operating near major bus stands.
The government has set a strict two-week deadline for the total execution of these closure orders.
The move is consistent with the TVK manifesto, which pledged to make Tamil Nadu a “drug-free state” and progressively minimize access to alcohol. The focus on safeguarding students and religious institutions by the Vijay-led administration clearly indicates a clear deviation from the previous government, which was dependent on liquor sales.
The closure of the facility comes as a major blow to the daily revenue collection by the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC), but the Chief Minister assured that “the welfare of citizens and social health come before financial considerations.” This is yet another “Day 1” move after granting 200 units of free power supply for domestic use and creating a separate force for women’s safety.
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