The government led by Vijay has introduced stricter liquor regulations soon after taking office, reinforcing the legal drinking age of 21 and directing tighter enforcement at TASMAC outlets across the state.
As part of the early policy push, the administration has also ordered the closure of 717 TASMAC liquor shops located near temples, educational institutions, and bus stations. Officials described the move as a public welfare measure aimed at reducing easy access to alcohol in sensitive areas.
Stricter Age Verification at Liquor Shops
The state has instructed TASMAC staff to strictly verify age before selling alcohol. Customers may be required to show valid identity proof, including Aadhaar, if their age is in doubt. The government is also reviewing proposals to reduce operating hours of liquor outlets, with discussions suggesting a possible shift from 10 pm closure to 8 pm.
Revenue and Scale of TASMAC Operations
Liquor sales remain a major revenue source for Tamil Nadu. In 2025, TASMAC recorded sales of ₹48,344 crore, making it one of the state’s top revenue-generating departments.
Large-Scale Outlet Closures Planned
Out of 4,765 existing TASMAC outlets, the government has identified hundreds located too close to sensitive public spaces. The planned shutdown includes 276 outlets near places of worship, 186 near educational institutions, and 255 near bus stations, with closures expected within two weeks. After this, the total number of outlets will fall to 4,048.
Political Context and Early Decisions
The liquor policy changes come shortly after Vijay took oath as chief minister following the state elections. His party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, formed a coalition government after falling short of a majority and later secured support from several parties during a trust vote.
Ahead of the vote, Vijay met opposition leader M. K. Stalin in Chennai in what was described as a courtesy meeting, while political tensions remained high.
Government Wins Trust Vote
The government secured 144 MLAs in the trust vote, crossing the majority mark. Support came from multiple alliance partners, while the opposition DMK staged a walkout, alleging political pressure on smaller parties.
After the win, Vijay said his government would function quickly on welfare measures and continue existing schemes while maintaining a secular approach.
