Over 100 TASMAC shops to shut in Chennai alone on Jayalalithaa’s birthday

On the occasion of late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s birth anniversary, the Edappadi Palaniswami-led government promised to close 500 state-run liquor shops on Friday.

The Tamil Nadu government’s move to implement phased prohibition was one of the poll promises of Jayalalithaa in the run-up to the 2016 Assembly Elections. The late CM had in June last year closed 500 TASMAC shops.

“In the efforts to completely prohibit alcohol, we had promised that we will reduce the number of liquor shops. In June 19, 2016, we closed 500 shops and tomorrow February 24, we will close 500 liqour shops and 169 bars attached to them,” said a press release issued by the TN government. It also added that it would transfer employees working at the liquor outlets to existing TASMAC shops.

A document released by the government shows that the Salem region will see 133 TASMAC shops shut on Friday, the highest number in the state, while the Chennai region will see 105 liquor stores closed and 63 bars shut. Within the Chennai region limits, it’s Chennai South that will see 31 TASMAC shops and 24 bars closed – the highest in the state.

Figures from the state government also reveal that the Trichy region will see 119 liquor shops and 33 bars closed, while Madurai region will see 99 outlets and 37 bars shut. Coimbatore region will see 44 TASMAC shops and 20 bars close.    

After winning the trust vote last weekend, one of Edappadi Palaniswami’s first signatures as Chief Minister was to order the shutting down of 500 TASMAC shops.