TN CM Joseph Vijay Orders Closure Of 717 TASMAC Shops Near Schools & Temples; Targets Addiction!

In his first major move since taking oath, Tamil Nadu CM Joseph Vijay has ordered the closure of 717 state-run TASMAC liquor shops located within 500 meters of schools, temples, and bus stands. The directive, to be executed within two weeks, addresses long-standing public grievances, including a viral struggle by a local grandmother to protect students from nearby alcohol outlets. While the move is widely celebrated by residents and students, it presents a massive economic hurdle, as liquor sales generated over ₹48,000 crore in 2025. CM Vijay now faces the dual challenge of an "addiction-free" state and fiscal stability.