No liquor in beach shacks in Puri: Odisha govt makes changes in Excise Policy

The Odisha government on Friday imposed restrictions on the operations of beach shacks, which were allowed to serve liquor in a bid to boost tourism, as per the new excise policy.

Now, the state government has made changes and clarified that no beach shacks will be allowed in Puri, the abode of Lord Jagannath.

The modification came in view of massive protests and opposition to the new excise policy.

Earlier, the Excise Policy for 2024-25 which came into effect from September 1, 2024 stipulated that serving of liquor in beach shacks is allowed in Odisha for the purpose of promoting tourism. However, the license for location and the number of beach shacks allowed for serving liquor will be based on the approval given by the Tourism Department.

In its latest notification, the Excise department said that allowing beach shacks in Puri is not in the interest of preserving the socio-religious-cultural significance of the land of Lord Jagannath. Similarly, there are other places of religious significance within the state, in the vicinity of which beach shacks are likely to create adverse impact on the social- religious-cultural atmosphere.

“Therefore, it is proposed to issue a clarification to the effect that beach shacks will not be allowed in the jurisdiction of Puri Municipality as well as within 5 kilometers of such other places of socio-religious-cultural significance in other parts of Odisha. Such other places may be decided by the government after due deliberations,” the Excise Department’s notification read.

Meanwhile, several organisations, intellectuals and mahantas of many mutts have thanked the government for the decision. As per them, the decision will go a long way in keeping the dignity of Jagannath Dham.

“The decision by the State government is most welcome. We are hopeful that the government will be committed to implementing its decision,” said Jagannath Deo, Secretary of Milita Odisha Nisha Nibarana Abhijana.

“Sea beach is not a place of entertainment, but rather a holy place. We thank the government’s decision to impose restrictions on the operations of beach shacks,” said Mahanta Ramacharana Das Maharaj, a former member of Srimandir Managing Committee.

“Apart from liquor-free sea beach, we will also demand that ‘Bada Danda’ in Puri should be free from non-vegetarian foods,” said Harishankar Mishra, a local resident.