In a sweeping action, newly sworn-in Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has ordered the closure of over 700 liquor shops in the state and directed that the order be implemented within two weeks, according to a government notification.
Closure has been ordered for liquor shops run by the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) only. Follow live updates of Tamil Nadu news
The action is among the first orders issued by actor-turned-politician Vijay after taking oath as Prime Minister on Sunday, May 10. His party, Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), won 108 seats in the recently concluded Tamil Nadu elections and formed the government with the support of several other winning parties, helping it reach the majority mark of 118 seats in the 234-member Assembly.
Why did Vijay order the closure of liquor stores?
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has issued orders to close 717 liquor shops located within 500 meters of places of worship, educational institutions and bus stops, the government said on Tuesday.
In view of the welfare of the public, Vijay has issued orders to close retail liquor outlets, the official statement said.
Accordingly, 276 outlets near places of worship, 186 commercial stores near educational institutions, and 255 outlets near bus stops will be closed during the next two weeks.
The Prime Minister directed that the order be implemented within two weeks in the interest of the public, according to the statement.
“Currently, the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) operates 4,765 retail beverage shops. Of these, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister S Joseph Vijay has ordered an audit to identify shops located within 500 meters of places of worship, educational institutions and bus stops,” an official statement said on Tuesday.
Vijay’s party manifesto had promised to make efforts to make Tamil Nadu drug-free.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay is scheduled to hold a majority test on Wednesday. Vijay on Monday met his predecessor, DMK chief MK Stalin, at the latter’s Alwarpet residence in Chennai, in their first meeting since the election results came out.
PTI news agency reported that government sources described the visit as a “courtesy visit.”
The meeting takes place a day after Vijay’s stinging criticism of the erstwhile DMK regime $10 lakh crore debt burden on the state. He also indirectly criticized the DMK for its “multiple centers of power” and asserted that it was the only power center in his TVK regime.
DMK chief Stalin hit back at Vijay over his debt burden.
The crucial ground test in the Tamil Nadu Assembly to prove the TVK-led government’s majority in the House is scheduled to take place on May 13.
