New Delhi (India) May 12: The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Joseph Vijay, has directed the closure of 717 government-run liquor shops situated within 500 metres of temples, schools and bus stands across the state. The shops run by the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) are to be closed within two weeks. 

This is the first order issued by the actor-turned-politician, whose party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam won big in last month’s Assembly election. 

717 TASMAC Shops to Close Soon

The order is to be implemented within two weeks for the public good, said a press release. 

The release said, "With the welfare of the general public in mind, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, C Joseph Vijay, has issued orders to close - within two weeks - 717 retail liquor shops situated within a 500-meter radius of places of worship, educational institutions, and bus stands."

“TASMAC currently operates 4,765 liquor shops in the state, 276 are near places of worship, 186 are near educational institutions, and 255 are near bus stands," it added.

Survey Identified Outlets Near Public Spaces

Soon after taking office as CM, Vijay had ordered a detailed survey of the TASMAC shops to ascertain their location relative to sensitive public places like religious sites, educational institutions and major bus stops. The survey revealed that 276 shops were located near temples, 186 near educational institutions and 255 near bus stands, making a total of 717 liquor shops that were designated to be closed down. 

TVK Begins Promise of Drug-Free Tamil Nadu

Officials indicated that the move will ensure that more stringent regulations are applied to liquor outlets and that public concerns over the proximity of TASMAC outlets to sensitive public areas are addressed. Many supporters following TN politics had already anticipated this move, as the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam's election manifesto included a "drug-free Tamil Nadu." 

This is considered one of the first actions to enact the party's pre-election promises, even though closing liquor shops has been a persistent demand by many opposition parties, activists and residents due to their considerable revenue.