Social activists and the public have demanded the State government to restrict recreation clubs selling liquor and not to allow opening of new clubs near the places where TASMAC outlets were closed, following Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s order.

The Chief Minister recently issued an order to close 717 TASMAC outlets functioning within 500 meters from educational institutions, places of worship, and bus stands. Based on the order, 20 outlets were identified in the district, 14 outlets were closed and the remaining are to be closed soon. Meanwhile, after the closure of TASMAC outlets, people flocked to recreation clubs that sold liquor to their members.

Two TASMAC outlets functioning near Omalur Bus Stand were closed recently. But on May 6, a recreation club was opened in a marriage hall near the bus stand, and people moved to the club in large numbers and bought liquor. Following the allegations that the club sold liquor to non-members, the Omalur police raided the club and inquired on Sunday (May 17, 2026). Investigations revealed that the club did not maintain its register properly and sold liquor to non-members.

Based on that, the police registered a case against club president Nandhakumar, vice president Sundararajan, secretary Prabakaran, deputy secretary Sebasthiyar, and treasurer Arun Pandian. The club was also closed temporarily.

Salem North Urban CPI(M) secretary N. Praveen Kumar said that these recreation clubs are functioning from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. But the working hours of TASMAC outlets is between 12 p.m. and 10 p.m. The rules for the TASMAC outlet do not apply for these clubs as well.

Mr. Kumar added that while the Chief Minister ordered the closure of the TASMAC outlets, the order will not be applicable to these clubs. Following the closure of TASMAC outlets at important junctions in Salem, many people are trying to open recreation clubs. “The government should prohibit opening of new recreation clubs with bar facilities,” he said.

The timings should be restricted for liquor sales in clubs, similar to TASMAC outlets. “The bar facilities in the clubs within 500 meters of schools, temples, and bus stands should be closed immediately. If the government does not implement this, there would be no use in closing 717 TASMAC outlets across the State, Mr. Kumar added.