The officials attached to the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited (Tasmac) have decided to close the three liquor outlets functioning at Swarnapuri, near the Salem New Bus Stand, and in Kannankurichi Town Panchayat.

Following the recent order of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to close the Tasmac outlets operating within a 500-metre radius of schools, bus stands, and temples, the Tasmac officials in Salem district closed two out of the five outlets near the Salem New Bus Stand. Following this, the local residents, led by CPI(M) functionaries, submitted petitions to the District Collector on Thursday (May 15) seeking closure of the remaining three shops, which were closed the next day.

However, a Tasmac outlet at Swarnapuri, close to the corporation primary and middle schools, and two outlets near a government school in Kannankurichi town panchayat, are still open.

Salem North Urban District CPI(M) secretary N. Praveen Kumar said the Swarnapuri outlet was the highest-earning facility in the city. In 2018, following a series of protests by CPI(M) and DYFI, the outlet was shut down. But in 2021, after the DMK came to power, the outlet resumed operation. Corporation schools, four private hospitals, a private bus association office, and a parcel service company are functioning in this locality. At times, customers visiting the outlet allegedly consume liquor on the school premises. The two outlets functioning near the Kannankurichi government school and the one located within 500 metres of a government-aided school at Mulluvadi Gate have been a nuisance to the people and students. These outlets should also be closed soon or the CPI (M), along with the public, will stage a series of protests, he added.

Salem District Tasmac officials said that out of the 20 outlets identified in the district, 14 were closed. A proposal has been sent to close the outlet at Swarnapuri and two outlets in the Kannankurichi town panchayat. Within a week of receiving approval from the higher officials, these outlets will also be closed, they said.