Odisha new liquor policy: Three teams sent to different states on ‘excise study tour’ ahead of launch

In a significant move ahead of the launch of Odisha’s new liquor policy, the state Excise Department has dispatched three teams of senior officials to study the excise frameworks of four other states.

The upcoming three-year liquor policy, which aims to revamp alcohol regulation in Odisha, is scheduled for rollout between the second or third week of this month (June 15 and June 20), Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan confirmed.

According to reports, the policy will not permit the opening of any new liquor shops, a major shift from previous approaches that often emphasised expansion for revenue generation.

Four-State Study Tour to Shape Final Draft

As part of the study, the teams will visit Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, which are states with distinct approaches to liquor control and distribution.

These study tours will offer insights into successful regulatory practices, enforcement models, and public health safeguards. The officials are expected to return by July 7 and 8, after which any pending modifications to the draft policy will be finalised.

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Focus Areas: Illegal Liquor, Enforcement, and Policy Gaps

The policy will address persistent issues such as illegal liquor production and smuggling, weak enforcement, and outdated penalty systems. Minister Harichandan had earlier stated that the revised framework will plug loopholes in the current policy, strengthen penalties, and enhance monitoring.

Part of a Wider Push for Substance Control

This policy rollout follows the state’s recent efforts to curb substance abuse. On May 31, Odisha observed Anti-Tobacco Day, launching awareness drives across schools and colleges. The government’s stated goal is to build a healthier, substance-free society, especially for the younger generation.

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Meanwhile, the three-year policy framework aims to implement long-term, consistent strategies rather than piecemeal fixes. Officials maintain that the final document will be tailored to Odisha’s socio-economic realities, incorporating successful ideas from other states while ensuring relevance to local contexts.