Chennai, May 12 -- Makkal Needhi Maiyam (MNM) president and Rajya Sabha MP Kamal Haasan on Tuesday welcomed Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's decision to close 717 TASMAC liquor retail outlets located near places of worship, educational institutions and bus stands across the state.

In a post on X, Haasan said Tamil families had long expected liquor shops near sensitive public places to be removed and praised the Tamil Nadu government for acting immediately after assuming office.

"Even as the expectation of Tamil families was that liquor retail shops near places of worship, educational institutions, and bus stands should be removed, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Brother Vijay, has taken this action immediately upon assuming office,...