TN orders shutdown of 500 liquor shops

The AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu has ordered the closure of 500 state-run liquor shops with effect from Sunday. This is seen as the first phase in bringing prohibition to the state, even as political parties welcomed the move. Ahead of the elections in May, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa had promised voters that prohibition in the state will be implemented in a phased manner. The Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC), which is authorised to sell liquor in the state, issued an order instructing the closure of the shops, after their business hours were curtailed. The working hours were revised from 12 noon to 10 pm, as against the previous 10 am to 10 pm schedule. In Madurai, 201 outlets were closed, followed by Trichy (133), Coimbatore (60) and Chennai (58).   DHNS