Playing good on their manifesto promise of prohibition, the AIADMK government has prepared a list for closure of the first 500 shops, according to reports by Thanthi TV.
Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa had earlier signed two documents on Sunday, when she assumed power for the second time. These documents included closure of 500 TASMAC outlets in the first phase of prohibition and regulation on timings of the shops.
TASMAC shops were previously open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The duration has now been reduced by two hours, the revised timings being 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
There are roughly 6, 700 TASMAC shops operating across the state.
The government has set down some criteria to regulate the closure of the TASMAC shops. The criteria include proximity to schools, places of worship and public spaces like markets etc. It further includes shops facing losses and shops near villages.
Based on the said criteria, the district supervisors of TASMAC have identified close to 10-15 shops in every district that can be closed down, the final figure totalling to 525 shops across the state.
Touted to be the first list to be handed over to the government, the latter can decide to axe down 500 shops from the list. Alternatively, all 525 shops could also be shut down.