Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has announced the closure of 717 TASMAC liquor outlets located within 500 metres of sensitive areas, including temples, schools, and bus stands. This decision, which is one of the largest policy moves since he took office, follows a survey that identified these outlets as problematic for public welfare. The breakdown of the closures includes 276 shops near places of worship, 186 near educational institutions, and 255 near bus stands. This initiative reflects the campaign promise of Vijay's party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, to create a 'drug-free Tamil Nadu.' Despite longstanding demands from various groups to shut liquor shops, the significant revenue generated by TASMAC has made large-scale closures challenging. The decision has sparked discussions about governance, public safety, and the impact of liquor outlets on community life, particularly concerning issues like crowding and safety for women commuters.