Daijiworld Media Network – Chennai
Chennai, May 12: In a major decision taken within hours of assuming office, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay on Tuesday ordered the closure of 717 state-run Tasmac liquor outlets located near temples, mosques, churches, educational institutions and bus stands across the state.
The Tamil Nadu government has directed officials to shut down all Tasmac shops operating within a 500-metre radius of places of worship, schools, colleges and bus stands within the next two weeks.
Official data revealed that Tamil Nadu currently has 4,765 Tasmac liquor retail outlets. Among the 717 shops identified for closure, 276 are situated near religious places, 186 near educational institutions and 255 close to bus stands.
The decision is being viewed as the first major policy move of the newly sworn-in Vijay-led government and has been projected as a social welfare initiative aimed at restricting easy access to liquor in sensitive public areas.
Actor-turned-politician Vijay, 51, took oath as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on Sunday after his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), emerged as the single-largest party in the Assembly elections. With the backing of Congress, Left parties, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), TVK formed the state’s first coalition government.
Apart from the liquor shop closure order, Vijay also approved several key welfare and administrative measures after taking charge.
The Chief Minister cleared the implementation of 200 units of free electricity for domestic consumers and sanctioned the creation of a special force for women’s safety. He also approved the establishment of anti-drug units in every district to tackle the growing narcotics menace.
In his first address after taking oath, Vijay strongly criticised the previous DMK government and announced that a white paper detailing Tamil Nadu’s financial condition between 2021 and 2026 would soon be released.
“The state has been burdened with debt exceeding Rs 10 lakh crore and the treasury has been emptied, placing an unbearable burden on the government,” Vijay said.
He also assured strict maintenance of law and order and promised stronger action to ensure women’s safety across the state.
TVK currently holds 107 seats in the Assembly following Vijay’s resignation from the Tiruchirappalli East constituency. With the support of 13 MLAs from alliance partners, the government is expected to comfortably prove its majority during the upcoming floor test.