Odisha govt to reopen 70 closed liquor shops in state

Odisha government has decided to reopen as many as 70 liquor shops across the state that had been previously closed. 

Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan informed about the development in the Assembly on Saturday.

The Excise Department has already granted permission for the reopening. In addition, proposals have been put forward to open four new off-shop liquor outlets and three liquor manufacturing units. 

Among all districts, Balasore will see the highest number of reopenings, with 17 liquor shops set to resume operations. 

Must Read: No more new liquor shops in Odisha: Excise Minister 

As many as 10 shops in Ganjam, 9 in Nayagarh, 8 in Mayurbhanj, 7 in Cuttack, 5 in Rourkela, 3 in Keonjhar, 4 in Berhampur, 2 in Bolangir, 3 in Kandhamal, and 1 each in Malkangiri and Sambalpur will be reopened.

In addition, proposals are under consideration for opening 3 new off-shops in Puri and 1 in Bhubaneswar. 

Earlier last year, the  District Excise Office, Bhubaneswar had directed all the OICs, Inspectors and Deputy Superintendents of the Excise station in the Capital City to keep vigil on the IMFL ‘ON’ shops running illegally beyond the stipulated time by engaging of women and advertising on social media.

Moreover, Excise Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan had announced last year that no new liquor shops would be opened in Odisha.