After raids in western Odisha, will focus shift to 'illegal' liquor trade in Ganjam? 

After the massive seizure of cash by the IT department from distilleries of Baldeo Sahu and Sons in western Odisha, reports about the alarming proliferation of the illegal liquor trade in Ganjam, the home district of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, have raised concerns. It is alleged that liquor traders are funding the election campaign of political leaders. Many have pressed for raids on liquor mafias in the district.

Why raids only in western Odisha?

People have started to raise questions if the Income Tax department will only confine its raids to western Odisha and not to other parts where the illegal liquor trade has assumed the proportions of a cottage industry. 

As per reports, illegal country liquor making and trading has been rampant in the villages of Khallikote in Ganjam. Scores of country liquor-making units are being run illegally over the years while licensed liquor units are also being run by the same people year after year.

The situation is no different in Kabisuryanagar too. For the last 30 years, a country liquor-making unit has been in the name of a single person. Locals alleged that they are unaware of when its tender is being floated and the license issued. 

Proceeds for political funding

It is alleged that the proceeds from the liquor business are diverted to elections. Shiba Prasad Pani, who earlier contested as a councillor in Kabisurynagar NAC, claimed that he was once offered Rs 7 lakh by a liquor trader to fight the election. He added that one liquor trader has been in this business for the last 30 years and such traders are funding political leaders. 

Chintamani Khuntia, a resident of Khallikote alleged that liquor units are being operated in most of the villages. “Same persons will be growing rich while others will be dying. The government should issue licenses to others or else it should close the country liquor units,” he observed. 

Rajib Chandra Khadenga, a conscious citizen of Khallikote said that all know illegal liquor trade is rampant. "Excise and police personnel should raid the liquor units. If raids are carried out, huge amounts of cash and black money would be unearthed,” Khadenga said.

Abani Gaya, an activist, said that political leaders and liquor mafia have an unholy nexus. The liquor mafia is controlling the entire politics in Ganjam and the money of the mafia ensures who wins or loses, he asserted, saying that if raids are carried out, cash worth crores will be unearthed in Ganjam.

Also Read: Massive cash seizure by I-T dept in Odisha: ED likely to launch probe

Ganajm district has two excise districts – Chhatrapur and Berhampur. There are 47 country liquor units in Chhatrapur while their number is 25 in Berhampur. As per reports, the distillation centres at Sana Ramachandrapur and Kabisuryanagar pay a monthly license fee of Rs 16 lakh. 

No aucton of breweries for last 10 years!

Debi Prasad Das, the Excise superintendent of Chhatrapur said that in the last 10 to 12 years, no auction was held for liquor units. Later the excise policy was changed and a lottery system was introduced, he added.