The Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac) has temporarily paused the proposed closure of 717 liquor shops across the state after officials found discrepancies in determining whether the outlets actually fall within the newly enforced 500-metre restriction zone.
The move comes shortly after the government led by C. Joseph Vijay directed authorities to shut down Tasmac outlets located within 500 metres of schools, places of worship, and bus depots as part of its early policy measures after assuming office.
Confusion Over Distance Verification Delays Action
According to official sources, around 150 liquor outlets have already been shut under the directive. However, the remaining 717 proposed closures have now been put on hold until authorities complete proper field-level verification and accurate distance measurements.
→ J&K Liquor Shops Rise Across Seven Excise Ranges Since 2021, RTI Data Shows→ Andhra Pradesh to Hold Draw of Lots for Unrenewed Liquor Shop Licences on September 30; Deadline for Renewal Set at September 21
A senior Tasmac official said many outlets included in the closure list were identified based on preliminary records without detailed physical inspections. Officials are now reassessing whether these shops genuinely violate the 500-metre rule before taking further action.
The uncertainty has created operational confusion across several districts, especially in urban areas where schools, temples, transport hubs, and commercial establishments are located close to one another.
Several Tasmac Shops Continue Operations in Chennai
Ground-level observations in areas such as Velachery, Medavakkam, Thiruvanmiyur, and Triplicane found multiple Tasmac outlets still functioning near temples, educational institutions, and bus depots despite the government’s announcement.
Officials have yet to clarify whether these shops will eventually be relocated, permanently shut, or allowed to continue operations after reassessment.
A district-level Tasmac manager, speaking anonymously, admitted that several liquor outlets across Tamil Nadu currently operate within the restricted radius. In some cases, local residents have reportedly requested authorities to allow the shops to continue functioning due to concerns over illegal liquor sales or inconvenience caused by closures.
Lack of Ground Inspection Added to Administrative Confusion
Officials involved in the process said district managers were given limited time to identify non-compliant shops before submitting the closure list. As a result, many recommendations were reportedly based on available records rather than detailed physical surveys.
This has led to inconsistencies in implementation, with authorities now undertaking fresh inspections to verify the exact distance between liquor outlets and restricted locations.
The issue highlights the practical challenges involved in enforcing large-scale liquor retail restrictions in densely populated urban and semi-urban regions.
Over 1,000 Tasmac Employees Fear Job Losses
Trade unions and employee associations have also raised concerns over the possible impact on workers employed at the shops marked for closure.
According to union representatives, more than 1,000 Tasmac employees could lose their jobs if the outlets are permanently shut without rehabilitation or redeployment measures.
K. Thiruselvan, General Secretary of CITU (Tasmac), welcomed the government’s intent to regulate liquor retail locations but urged authorities to safeguard employee livelihoods.
He said the government has not yet provided any assurance regarding redeployment for workers attached to the affected outlets and demanded that employees be shifted to other departments or Tasmac units.
Similarly, T. Dhanasekar, General Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Tasmac Workers Association, reiterated demands for job security, employee benefits, and government employee status for Tasmac staff.
Worker unions are now hoping the new administration will address long-pending demands related to salary structures, welfare benefits, and employment protection.
Protest Erupts in Mayiladuthurai Over Police Cases Against Tasmac Staff
Meanwhile, tensions escalated in Mayiladuthurai after police booked staff members from three Tasmac outlets under the Prohibition Act for allegedly charging customers an extra ₹10 per liquor bottle.
In response, Tasmac employees staged a protest by shutting down 42 liquor shops across the district for nearly two hours.
The incident has further intensified discussions around the functioning of Tasmac outlets, employee conditions, and enforcement practices under Tamil Nadu’s evolving liquor policy framework.
About the Author
