Following the order of the State government to close TASMAC outlets functioning near places of worship and educational institutions, the public has demanded to close seven problematic TASMAC outlets in Salem.

Chief minister, C. Joseph Vijay, on Tuesday (May 12, 2026) ordered the closure of the 717 TASMAC outlets across the State that are located within 500 meters of schools, colleges, bus stands, and temples, within two weeks. Welcoming this order, the public has demanded the closure of the five TASMAC outlets functioning in and around Salem New Bus Stand and two functioning near the Kannankurichi Government Higher Secondary School.

Salem North Urban District CPI(M) secretary N. Praveen Kumar said that three TASMAC outlets are functioning within 100 meters of Salem new bus stand and two within 200 meters from the bus stand. The public and the CPI(M) have been protesting to close these shops for a long time. The TASMAC and Revenue Department officials promised to shift these shops thrice, but failed to fulfil their promise. Every time during the protest, the officials sought for additional time to shift the shop, but did not take any steps to do so. Mr. Kumar alleged that out of these five shops, one generates the second-highest collection in the district every day, causing the officials not wanting to close the shops. 

“We expect the government to close these shops as per the chief minister’s order. If the officials tried to provide false information to the government in order to save the shop from closure, the CPI(M) along with the public, will conduct a series of protests against the Revenue and TASMAC officials,” Mr. Kumar added.

Regarding the two TASMAC outlets functioning near the Kannankurichi government school, S. Vijay of Kannankurichi said that for the past six years, people have been protesting to close these outlets, which are functioning within 200 meters from the school. With the support of local politicians, various eateries have started to operate near the outlet for the liquor customers, creating various trouble for the public and the students. So these two shops should be closed, he added.

20 outlets to be closed

Officials attached to the TASMAC said that based on the chief minister’s order, 20 outlets were identified for closure in the Salem district. Out of the 20, two outlets – one at Salem Old Bus Stand and another at Rayiladi Street in Attur, were closed on Tuesday. Based on the approval from higher officials, 18 outlets will be closed soon, officials added.