CHENNAI: Fulfilling the announcement by minister V Senthilabalaji in the assembly, the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac) is working towards closing 500 retail outlets across the state.
The announcement is likely on June 3, birth anniversary of
M Karunanidhi.
Sources in Tasmac said process is on to identify liquor vends located near temples and schools based on complaints from residents.
Tasmac has 5,329 retail outlets across the state and the minister said 96 had been closed in the last two years.
In Chennai, more than two shops are located within 500-metre radius in several locations and residents have been complaining about tipplers hanging around and disturbing them.
Those who illegally run bars with their shops are lobbying with Tasmac officials to leave them out.
"We have made a lot of investment on the bars, closing them all of a sudden without any prior notice will affect us badly. Also, some district managers misuse the information about the closing of retail outlets to threaten bar owners for bribes," said a bar owner, on condition of anonymity.
Revenue to the state government from Tasmac has increased from ₹36,056 crore in 2021-22 to ₹44,098 crore in 2022-23.