India, May 14 -- Vijay has moved to tighten liquor regulations in Tamil Nadu days after taking office, with his government reinforcing the legal drinking age of 21 and directing stricter checks at TASMAC outlets across the state. The move comes shortly after the Vijay government ordered the closure of 717 TASMAC liquor shops located near temples, educational institutions and bus stations, in what is being seen as one of the administration's first major policy interventions aimed at curbing alcohol access and promoting public welfare.

The Tamil Nadu government has directed staff at all Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) outlets to strictly verify the age of customers and deny liquor sales to those below the legal drinking age...