India, May 13 -- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Tuesday ordered the closure of 717 State-run retail liquor outlets, including those near places of worship. Closing down of liquor shops has been a demand from women in the State.

The move was done keeping in mind the welfare of people, an official release said. Accordingly, 276 outlets near places of worship, 186 shops near educational institutions, and 255 outlets near bus stands will be closed within the next two weeks, it said.

Liquor sales is one of Government's key revenue generators in Tamil Nadu.

Responding to the move, DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai claimed such outlets were not present outside places of religious worship and educational institutions. "Will the...