More than 25 liquor outlets run by Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited (Tasmac), mostly near bus termini, were identified in Vellore, Ranipet, Tirupattur and Tiruvannamalai districts on Tuesday for permanent closure in the coming days.

The exercise comes after Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Tuesday directed authorities to shut down 717 Tasmac outlets located within 500 metres of places of worship, educational institutions, and bus stands across the State within the next two weeks. “In the first phase of the exercise, we have identified two outlets that are located near the old bus terminus opposite the fort complex in Vellore Corporation limits. A survey to identify similar outlets in the district is under way,” S. Sathiyam Ram, District Manager (Vellore), told The Hindu.

Officials said the initiative was aimed to ensure stricter regulation of liquor outlets and address public concerns over the proximity of Tasmac outlets to sensitive public spaces.

Tasmac officials have identified at least 25 outlets in Tiruvannamalai district, the highest among these districts, for permanent closure. Two outlets will be closed each in Vellore and Ranipet districts. The process of identification of such outlets in Tirupattur is under way. The existing stocks in identified outlets will be sent to godowns while staff will be deployed in other outlets. 

After identification of such outlets within 500 metres, the report will be given to the District Collector, who will take the final decision to shut down identified outlets permanently. “The exercise to permanent closure of such outlets in public places like bus termini is a welcome measure as commuters, especially women and senior citizens, are scared to board buses near such outlets,” said R. Pavithra, a commuter.

Together, these districts have a total of 385 outlets, covering industrial towns like Ranipet, Vaniyambadi and Ambur and farming areas like Cheyyar, Arani and Kalasapakkam in Tiruvannamalai. Of this, Tiruvannamalai district has the highest number of outlets (206), followed by Ranipet (83 outlets), Vellore (60 outlets) and Tirupattur (36 outlets).

Tasmac officials said that prior to the recent government’s order, new Tasmac outlets were opened only 100 metres away from places of worship, educational institutions and bus stands in villages. In towns and cities, new outlets can be opened within 50 metres of these institutions and facilities.

Also, as per norms, such outlets can be opened only 220 metres away from national and State highways in villages to prevent drunken driving by long-distance travellers. On the other hand, industrial areas can have such outlets within 10 metres of each other. In terms of population, each Tasmac outlet can be opened only with a minimum population of around 7,000 persons in its vicinity.