Tasmac bars can now be operated within 100m of liquor stores

The minimum area requirement for the Tasmac bar has also been increased from 15m2 to 20m2 (about 215m2). | Photo credit: E. LAKSHMI NARAYANAN

The Tamil Nadu government amended the liquor sale rules to allow Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac) bars to be set up within 100 meters of liquor outlets, replacing the existing requirement that they be attached to retail outlets.

The state government has issued a Government Order (GO) in this regard. Sources said the move was aimed at widening participation in the tender process and breaking the monopoly of a few operators who had controlled bar contracts for years. The minimum area requirement for a bar has also been increased from 15 m2 to 20 m2 (about 215 m2).

“Space still insufficient”

Tasmac bars have always been small businesses that are often poorly maintained. People working in these bars, who The Hindu spoke to, said that the increase in the minimum floor area requirement is still insufficient. “If there is an emergency, there will not be enough space to safely evacuate people. The government should consider further increasing the minimum space,” they said.

Tasmac is a major source of revenue for the state government. The company operates 4,048 liquor retail outlets across the state and generates around ₹150 crore in liquor sales every day through its retail network.

Published – 26 Jul 2026 23:43 IST