The Tamil Nadu Government closed down 500 state-run liquor outlets from today. After assuming the office recently for a second term, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa ordered reduction of working hours of all liquor outlets by two hours.
A fresh order was issued last night by the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation in this regard.
Prohibition has been a raging issue during the state Assembly election campaigning in Tamil Nadu.
It fuelled high pitch demonstrations by various political parties and NGOs insisting the state to go dry.
All parties in their manifesto promised total prohibition except the AIADMK that favoured it in a phased manner.
Though the government headed by the party during its previous term refused to climb down from its position that prohibition is impractical and lead to huge revenue loss, it has now begun to honour its commitment to gradually bring down curtains on the 6826 liquor shops beginning with 500 of them from today.