No proposal to open new liquor shops in Odisha, says excise commissioner

Bhubaneswar, Sept 23 (UNI) The Odisha government has clarified that it has no proposal to open new liquor shops in the state. This came after certain sections misrepresented statements made by Excise Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan during the recent Assembly session.

The State Excise Commissioner stated the government has neither any plan nor proposal to open new liquor shops at present or in the near future.

As per Section 26 of the Excise Policy, liquor shops are strictly prohibited within 500 meters of educational institutions, 300 meters of religious places, and 100 meters of public bathing ghats.
“Any reported violation invites immediate departmental action,” he stated.

Officials further stressed that liquor cannot be sold near schools or temples and that the department remains firm on curbing illegal liquor trade and the sale of intoxicants. Protecting people’s lives, they said, has always been a higher priority than revenue collection.

To enforce this, joint operations by the Excise Department and police have been intensified. In the past year alone, four major statewide raids were conducted, leading to large seizures of illegal liquor, arrests of offenders and confiscation of vehicles used for smuggling.

The Commissioner also said that no liquor shop will be allowed in restricted areas, and all licensed shops and bars will be geo-tagged on Google Maps.

Several shops and bars allotted earlier have already been closed due to public opposition, illegal activities, bankruptcy or non-renewal of licences.
The Excise Department is also conducting regular awareness programmes to discourage illegal liquor consumption.

Model de-addiction centres will be established in every district. Special awareness drives will also be launched across the state from October 2, Gandhi Jayanti, to campaign against illegal liquor and all forms of intoxication.