436 of 717 TASMAC shops near schools, temples, bus stands shut so far: Excise Minister

PRESS RELEASE Hon'ble Minister for Prohibition and Excise Thiru Ka. Vigneshwar conducts review on closure of 717 TASMAC liquor shops Following the Government Order issued on 11.05.2026 by the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu directing the closure of 717 retail liquor shops located near educational institutions, places of worship, and bus stands, Hon'ble Minister for Prohibition and Excise Thiru Ka. Vigneshwar conducted a review today, 23.05.2026 (Saturday), at the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation head office. As of today, 436 retail liquor shops and their associated bars have been closed. The Hon'ble Minister instructed officials to take swift action to close the remaining retail liquor shops and associated bars. He also advised officials to redeploy shop staff who had been working at the closed retail liquor shops to nearby retail liquor shops, so that their livelihoods are not affected. He further directed that all retail liquor shops and their associated bars must close by 10:00 PM, and that appropriate action be taken against shop staff found selling liquor at prices higher than the maximum retail price. Issued by: Director, Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Chennai-9