CM Vijay Orders Closure of 717 Liquor Shops Near Religious Places
Chennai: Newly elected Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has ordered the closure of 717 government-run TASMAC liquor retail outlets located within 500 meters radius of places of worship, educational institutions and bus stations in the state within two weeks in the interest of public welfare.
After assuming the post of CM, Vijay ordered a survey to identify TASMAC liquor shops operating near places of worship, educational institutions and bus stands.
“Keeping in mind the welfare of the people, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has issued orders to close 717 retail liquor shops located within a 500-metre radius of places of worship, educational institutions and bus stands within two weeks. Currently, 4,765 retail liquor shops are operated by the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation.
Among them, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay issued instructions to conduct a survey and identify shops located within a 500-meter radius of places of worship, educational institutions and bus stands. In a press release, it was found that 717 retail liquor shops are currently operating in the three mentioned categories in compliance with the above-mentioned instructions.
“Keeping public welfare in mind, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has ordered the closure of a total of 717 retail liquor shops, including 276 near places of worship, 186 near educational institutions and 255 near bus stands, in the next two weeks.”
Even though TASMAC liquor shops generate high revenue for the Tamil Nadu government, there are calls in party circles to shut down many of these retail outlets.
TASMAC was also put under investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The investigating agency had last year conducted raids on several premises across Tamil Nadu in connection with alleged offenses involving the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited (TASMAC) and related entities under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam
