The Tamil Nadu government has amended the liquor vending rules to allow Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac) bars to be set up within a 100-metre radius of liquor outlets, replacing the existing requirement that they be attached to retail shops.

The State government has issued a Government Order (G.O.) pertaining to this. Sources said the move was aimed at widening participation in the tender process and breaking the monopoly of a few operators who have dominated bar contracts for years. The minimum area requirement for a bar has also been increased from 15 sq.m to 20 sq.m (about 215 sq.ft).

Tasmac bars have always been small establishments that are often poorly maintained. People working at these bars, whom The Hindu spoke to, said the increase in the minimum area requirement was still inadequate. “If there is an emergency, there won’t be enough space for people to evacuate safely. The government should consider increasing the minimum space further,” they said.

Tasmac is a major revenue generator for the State government. The corporation operates 4,048 retail liquor outlets across the State, and generates around ₹150 crore from liquor sales every day through its retail network.