Tamil Nadu to close 500 of total 5,329 govt liquor retail outlets from tomorrow

The decision is in line with the DMK promise in its poll manifesto – prohibition of liquor in the state in a phased manner, a hot topic that has dominated state elections for several decades.

An official release from the TASMAC said the orders have been issued to all district managers to identify the 500 outlets for closure. The direction also includes a caution against a possible increase in the sales of illicit arrack due to the closure of these shops.

S Visakan, managing director of the TASMAC, said the government will issue separate orders soon about the redeployment of the staff from the shops to be closed.

The call for prohibition in Tamil Nadu has been a persistent issue, with Chief Minister M K Stalin among the key leaders who supported it when his party was in the opposition.

Opposition Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) welcomed the move and urged Stalin to implement prohibition in the state.

The PMK, a strong proponent of a dry state, called for time-bound closure of the rest of the shops as well.

“Although delayed, this is welcome. The Chief Minister had promised implementation of prohibition in a phased manner and this (closure of 500 shops) should be the start for that journey,” PMK president and Rajya Sabha MP Dr Anbumani Ramadoss said in a tweet.

(With PTI inputs)