Twenty-two Tasmac outlets that functioned near schools, temples and bus stands have been shut in Salem district so far and the officials were awaiting orders to close one more. Notably, this is three outlets more than the 20 identified for closure in the district.

Following the order of Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to close 717 Tasmac outlets across the State that functioned within 500 metres of educational institutions, temples and bus stands, 20 out of 188 outlets in the district had been identified for closure.

The outlets at Old Bus Stand in Salem and Raiyladi Street in Attur were closed on May 12. Two outlets each at New Bus Stand in Salem and Omalur and one outlet each at Kolathur, Kondalampatti and Belur were closed on May 13. Three more outlets at the New Bus Stand area and two outlets at Pudupalayam in Vazhapadi were closed on May 14. After three weeks, on June 5, two outlets each near Anandha Bridge and Kannankurichi and an outlet at Kasaperi in Elampillai were closed. A total of 19 outlets were closed out of the 20 identified.

On Saturday (June 6), Tasmac officials closed an outlet at Kaludachankundru in Attur Taluk, an outlet in Mettur Taluk and a Tasmac elite shop that functioned in a mall at Mecheri, increasing the number of outlets closed in the district to 22.

A proposal has been sent to higher officials to close the Swarnapuri outlet, which functions with a bar near a corporation middle school. On receiving the consent, this shop would be closed, raising the number of Tasmac outlets closed in the district to 23, the officials added.