Tamil Nadu Orders Closure of 717 State-Run Liquor Shops
Tamil Nadu has ordered the closure of 717 state-run liquor retail outlets, accounting for nearly 15% of the state’s alcohol stores, in a move described by the government as a public welfare initiative. The decision was announced under the leadership of newly elected Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, the actor-turned-politician who recently assumed office in the southern Indian state, one of the country’s largest alcohol markets.
According to the government, the affected outlets are operated by the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) and are located within 500 metres of places of worship, educational institutions, and major bus terminals. Authorities have directed that the closure process be completed within two weeks. Tamil Nadu operates all liquor retail outlets through the state government, making the move one of the most significant alcohol policy shifts in recent years.
Industry sources noted that Tamil Nadu’s liquor market is largely dominated by local brands, although international beverage companies such as Pernod Ricard and Diageo also maintain a presence in the state. The policy change comes at a time when the liquor industry is facing rising operational costs linked to disruptions caused by the Iran conflict and ongoing demands for price revisions. Tamil Nadu also remains a strategically important manufacturing hub for global companies including Foxconn, a key supplier to Apple.
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