Chennai: As promised in the TVK’s poll manifesto, Tasmac has shut down 717 shops across TN. It’s just that the outlets that have been shut are not the ones originally slated for closure. Due to this, several outlets lying near religious places and educational institutions continue operating. In North Chennai, there are at least five shops within 500m of schools and temples.Shop no. 111 on Sungurama Chetty street is within 200m of St Columba’s school and St Mary’s school. Shop no. 99 is just 150m away from the famous Kalikambal temple. Shop no. 131 is close to a mosque near Mannady Metro. Similarly, shop no. 112 is located within 300m of Measi school in George Town, while shop no. 134 is located 300m from GMTTV school. Such violations are rampant across the city and suburbs. Residents have appealed to the district collector, Tasmac district managers, and local representatives to close them.Tasmac officials say they have closed the shops as instructed by the management and they cannot do anything till further orders are issued. “The management changed plans midway during the drive as closing all identified shops would lead to a loss in revenue for the state exchequer and opted to close shops with low sales,”While they initially planned to relocate the shops away from school and temple zones, there is no progress in this regard. Prohibition and excise minister K Vignesh was not available for his comment.
