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

In a significant move, Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister Joseph Vijay has ordered the closure of 717 liquor stores located within 500 meters of schools, temples, and bus stands. This decision, aimed at promoting public welfare, comes after a successful election campaign by the Tamilga Vetttri Kazhagam (TVK). Despite the challenges of forming a government with a slim majority, Vijay's administration is taking steps towards a 'drug-free' Tamil Nadu. The closure of these stores reflects a collaborative political effort, even as TASMAC's liquor sales contribute significantly to the state's revenue. This initiative is particularly noteworthy as the Enforcement Directorate is currently investigating TASMAC ahead of the upcoming elections.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 12, 2026, 13:25 IST

Closure of Liquor Shops in Tamil Nadu

Chief Minister Joseph Vijay of Tamil Nadu has mandated the shutdown of 717 government-run liquor stores located within a 500-meter radius of temples, schools, and bus stands across the state. These stores, operated by the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC), are required to cease operations within two weeks. This directive marks the first significant action taken by Vijay, who recently led the Tamilga Vetttri Kazhagam (TVK) to a remarkable victory in the state assembly elections last month.

Political Maneuvering and Support

Despite winning 108 out of 234 seats, Vijay and the TVK faced a delay in forming the government due to being 10 seats short of a majority. This led to a week of political negotiations, ultimately resulting in support from Congress, two leftist parties, and a smaller Tamil party, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, which helped secure a majority.

Public Welfare and Revenue Considerations

In light of public welfare, Chief Minister Joseph Vijay has issued an order to close 717 retail liquor outlets within 500 meters of places of worship, educational institutions, and bus stands. Currently, TASMAC operates 4,765 liquor stores in the state, with 276 near worship sites, 186 close to educational institutions, and 255 adjacent to bus stands. This closure order reflects a collaborative effort among various political parties, despite the significant revenue generated from TASMAC's liquor sales, which exceeded ₹48,000 crores in 2025. This initiative is seen as a step towards fulfilling Vijay's promise of a 'drug-free' Tamil Nadu, especially with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) scrutinizing TASMAC stores ahead of the upcoming elections in April.