Liquor ban in Odisha soon: Can't encourage liquor sale fearing revenue loss, says Minister

Amidst a politically charged atmosphere in Odisha, the newly-elected BJP government is planning to make Odisha liquor-free. If not completely, the government is reportedly considering making Odisha liquor-free in a phase-wise manner.

A few days after I&PR department refuted liquor ban in Odisha from August 15 i.e. Independence Day, Odisha Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Minister, Nityananda Gond reiterated that the state government indeed has plans to ban liquor in the state.

“Just cannot encourage liquor sale fearing revenue loss. Society is being polluted due to liquor addiction,” Gond said while speaking to media persons on the occasion of International Day Against Drug Abuse.

“Liquor has been banned in several states at the government-level. Our government is also committed to do the same. Necessary steps will be taken after discussion in this regard with Excise and other departments. We will try to make Odisha liquor-free in a phase-wise manner,” Gond asserted.

The state government will also take steps in the coming days to lessen the consumption of drugs in order to create a healthy society, the Minister added.

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Worth mentioning, Alcohol is prohibited in the states of Bihar, Gujarat, Mizoram and Nagaland.