Tamil Nadu shuts down 15% of alcohol stores: 5 Indian states where alcohol is completely banned

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Vijay ordered the closure of 717 state-run liquor retail outlets located within a 500-metre radius of places of worship, educational institutions, and bus stations in the state, to be completed within two weeks. According to a Business Standard report, the shops are operated by Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac) and number about 4,765 in the state, of which 276 are near places of worship, 186 are near educational institutions, and 255 are near bus stands. It is reported that the number of shops shut makes up almost 15% of the state's alcohol stores. The government has also directed all TASMAC outlets to strictly enforce the legal drinking age of 21 and verify customers’ ages before selling alcohol. Officials said that liquor shop employees have been instructed to check identity documents, including Aadhaar cards, whenever there is doubt about a buyer’s age. The move is part of the new administration’s broader push to tighten alcohol regulations and limit easy access to liquor. This is not the first time the state government has ordered the closure of liquor shops. Tamil Nadu has several instances in its political history where governments ordered liquor shop closures, imposed prohibition, or significantly restricted alcohol sales. Alcohol consumption is injurious to health, which is why many Indian states where alcohol is completely banned are referred to as dry states of India. Take a look.

In Bihar, alcohol ban was implemented in the year 2016 under the Bihar Excise (Amendment) Act under then Chief Minsiter Nitish Kumar. The motive was to reduce alcoholism and its harm in the society at large.

In Nagaland, alcohol is banned under the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act, 1989. The law bans the sale, possession, consumption and manufacture of alcoholic beverages across the state.

Here, the alcohol policies are a little complex. The Mizoram Liquor Total Prohibition Act, 1995 prohibits the sale and consumption of alcohol since 1997. But in 2007, the MLTP Act was amended to allow wine to be made from guavas and grapes, but with restrictions on the alcohol content and the volume possessed. Now, currently, there is the Mizoram Liquor (Prohibition and Control) Act, and it is listed among dry states.

In Gujarat, alcohol is banned since 1960. The state was formed after the bifurcation of the former Bombay. The Bombay Prohibition Act of 1949 continues to be enforced in Gujarat, making manufacture, sale, and consumption of alcohol illegal.

In Lakshadweep, alcohol is only permitted on Bangaram Island, designated as a tourism zone, and may be available at select approved resorts or licensed vessels. On most inhabited islands, alcohol remains prohibited. For tourists, carrying alcohol into these regions, even if purchased legally elsewhere, is also an offence under local regulations.

According to government legal rules, even in places where alcohol is legally sold, temporary bans apply on national holidays, election days and counting days, major public events, and also large gatherings or festivals, as declared by local authorities.