Tamil Nadu Closes 717 Liquor Shops Near Schools and Places of Worship Amid Public Safety Concerns The Tamil Nadu government, led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, has closed 717 liquor shops located within 500 meters of schools, places of worship, and public spaces across the state. The decision, announced on May 12, marks the latest phase in a decades-long effort to curb alcohol-related issues while balancing the state’s reliance on liquor sales revenue. However, residents and activists argue that the closures have not effectively addressed the root problems, as customers have simply shifted to nearby outlets, leaving public spaces still vulnerable to drunken behavior and safety risks. This move follows a pattern of similar actions over the years. In 2016, then-chief minister Jayalalithaa initiated a phased prohibition, closing 500 liquor shops, and her successor Edappadi K. Palaniswami added another 500 in 2017. In 2023, Minister for Electricity, Prohibition, and Excise V. Senthil Balaji announced plans to shut 500 more outlets, setting the stage for the current closures. Despite these efforts, critics argue that the government’s approach has been reactive and superficial, failing to tackle the broader issue of alcohol abuse and its societal impact. Residents and activists highlight the persistent challenges. In Velachery, Chennai, locals have long demanded the closure of Tasmac Shop No. 928, citing its location on Station Service Road—a busy artery connecting residential areas and the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) station at Taramani. They warn that the shop’s presence increases the risk of accidents, particularly with intoxicated drivers.#tamil_nadu #c_joseph_vijay #velachery #tasmac_shop_no_928 #mass_rapid_transit_system
Messages from OMCs stating IT status cause confusion among LPG consumers State-run oil marketing companies (OMCs) have initiated a new effort to reduce their subsidy burden by sending messages to LPG consumers about their annual income, aiming to discontinue subsidies for those who exceed certain income thresholds. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) consumers who fall outside the income tax bracket and have their Aadhaar numbers linked to bank accounts receive a subsidy of ₹24.50 per cylinder delivery. The messages sent to consumers state that, based on income tax records, their (or a linked family member’s) gross taxable income exceeds the ₹10 lakh limit. Consumers are instructed to dispute the claim by contacting a toll-free number or registering a grievance on their respective OMC’s portal within seven days. Failure to respond may result in the suspension of subsidies. A resident of Velachery expressed confusion about the message, noting he was unaware of its purpose and questioned the relevance of linking his income tax records to his LPG subsidy. He highlighted that the ₹24.50 subsidy is insufficient for basic transportation costs, contrasting it with the ₹400 subsidy from years ago. Consumer activist T. Sadagopan criticized the practice of using income tax records to determine subsidy eligibility, calling it an invasion of privacy. He argued that the subsidy amount is minimal and criticized the BJP government’s shift to direct transfers, which reduced the subsidy during the lockdown without subsequent increases. Sadagopan also noted the lack of data on how many consumers have discontinued subsidies or continue to receive them. An LPG distributor described the messages as unnecessary and confusing, attributing their origin to the recent KYC document submission drive.#ministry_of_petroleum_and_natural_gas #staterun_oil_marketing_companies #lpg_consumers #t_sadagopan #velachery
