CM C. Joseph Vijay’s first major social reform decision — signed within days of taking oath.
717 TASMAC liquor shops (தாஸ்மாக் கடைகள்) across Tamil Nadu are being shut down. Shops located within 500 metres of schools, colleges, temples, mosques, churches, and major bus stands are the primary targets.
Out of 4,675 TASMAC retail shops operating across Tamil Nadu — 717 have been identified for closure. That is roughly 1 in every 6 shops.
💡 Quick Answer: CM Vijay signed the TASMAC closure executive order on May 12, 2026 717 shops to be closed within 2 weeks Criteria: Within 500 metres of schools, colleges, places of worship, bus stands Official updates: 👉 tn.gov.in
⚠️ Important Note (முக்கியமான குறிப்பு): As of May 17, 2026, no official district-wise shop list has been publicly released by the Tamil Nadu government or TASMAC. Any website claiming to have the “official PDF list” or “complete district list” — verify carefully. For confirmed list: check tn.gov.in or your local district collector’s office.
Why These 717 Shops? — The Selection Criteria
CM Vijay signed the executive order based on a state-wide survey conducted after the election. The survey identified shops that violated proximity norms.
A TASMAC shop is being closed if it is within 500 metres of:
- ✅ Schools (பள்ளிகள்)
- ✅ Colleges (கல்லூரிகள்)
- ✅ Temples, Mosques, Churches (வழிபாட்டுத் தலங்கள்)
- ✅ Major Bus Stands (பேருந்து நிலையங்கள்)
Additional concerns identified in the survey:
- Traffic congestion caused by shop locations
- Safety concerns in busy residential areas
- Public complaints — especially in urban neighbourhoods
Which Districts Are Affected?
While the full official shop-wise list has not been released, reports confirm that closures are expected across major districts. Here is what is known:
Chennai (சென்னை)
Most affected — highest density of TASMAC shops near temples and educational institutions.
Areas expected to see closures:
- T. Nagar — temple belt areas
- Areas near major colleges in Chennai
- Shops near major bus stands (Koyambedu, CMBT area)
Coimbatore (கோயம்புத்தூர்)
Closures mainly around educational zones and transport-heavy areas.
Madurai (மதுரை)
Several outlets expected to close — especially near the famous Meenakshi Amman Temple (மீனாக்ஷி அம்மன் கோயில்) and surrounding areas.
Trichy (திருச்சிராப்பள்ளி)
Closures expected near educational institutions and religious sites.
Salem (சேலம்)
Multiple shops identified in the survey — closures in progress.
⚡ All 38 districts of Tamil Nadu are covered under this order — not just major cities. Even smaller towns and rural areas where TASMAC shops are near temples or schools are included.
How to Check If a Shop Near You Is Closing
Since the official PDF list has not been fully released, here is how to find out:
Method 1: TASMAC Official Website 👉 tasmac.tn.gov.in Check for any official notifications or press releases about closures in your area.
Method 2: Tamil Nadu Government Portal 👉 tn.gov.in Official orders and gazette notifications will be published here.
Method 3: Local District Collector Office Each district collector has received the closure list for their district. You can visit or call your district collector’s office to confirm specific shops.
Method 4: TASMAC District Office Each district has a TASMAC Regional Manager. They have the district-wise closure list.
⚡ We will update this page as soon as the official district-wise list is publicly released. Bookmark this page.
What Happens to These 717 Shops?
The shops are being permanently closed — not relocated.
These 717 licences will be cancelled. The staff at these shops will be reassigned to other TASMAC locations — CM Vijay’s order ensures no employees lose their jobs due to this closure.
The government estimates this will:
- Reduce alcohol accessibility near sensitive locations
- Decrease public disturbance complaints
- Improve safety around schools and places of worship
TVK’s Bigger Vision — What Comes Next?
This 717-shop closure is part of CM Vijay’s broader social reform agenda. TVK’s manifesto also includes:
- Drug-Free Tamil Nadu Mission — anti-drug protection zones around all schools
- Review of remaining TASMAC shop locations for further closures if complaints are received
- Long-term goal of reducing state’s dependence on liquor revenue through economic diversification
Reactions
In favour: Residents near temples and schools across Tamil Nadu have welcomed the decision. Women’s groups and parent associations had long demanded removal of liquor shops near educational institutions.
Concerns raised: TASMAC employees’ unions have raised concerns — though the government has assured job protection through reassignment.
Opposition view: DMK and AIADMK have acknowledged the move but questioned implementation timelines.
Official Links
| Purpose | Link |
|---|---|
| Tamil Nadu Government | tn.gov.in |
| TASMAC Official | tasmac.tn.gov.in |
| CM Vijay Press Release | vijay.com/en/press |
| District Collector Contacts | tn.gov.in/district |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many TASMAC shops are being closed in Tamil Nadu 2026? 717 shops out of 4,675 total TASMAC retail outlets. These are shops located within 500 metres of schools, colleges, places of worship, and major bus stands.
When will the 717 TASMAC shops close? (எப்போது மூடுவார்கள்?) CM Vijay’s executive order specified closure within 2 weeks of the order signed on May 12, 2026. Most closures should be complete by late May 2026.
Is there an official PDF list of which shops are closing? As of May 17, 2026 — no complete official district-wise PDF list has been publicly released. We will update this page when it is available. Check tn.gov.in for official notifications.
Will TASMAC employees lose their jobs? No — the government order specifically protects employees. Staff from closed shops will be reassigned to other TASMAC locations.
Can a closed shop reopen? No — these are permanent closures. Licences are being cancelled, not suspended.
Which areas in Chennai are most affected? T. Nagar temple belt, areas near major colleges, and shops near large bus stands are most likely to be in the closure list.
What is the 500-metre rule? Any TASMAC shop located within 500 metres (about a 5-minute walk) of a school, college, place of worship, or major bus stand is being closed.
Final Note
717 shops. 500-metre rule. 2 weeks.
CM Vijay’s first major executive decision after taking oath directly impacts daily life across Tamil Nadu — near temples, schools, and bus stands where TASMAC shops had long been a source of community complaints.
The complete district-wise list is expected to be officially released soon. Bookmark this page — we will update it the moment the official list is published.
Share this with your family and neighbours who want to know if a shop near their home or school is closing.