Liquor consumption personal affair, can't ban it: Odisha Govt

Bhubaneswar: The state government on Wednesday said the total prohibition of liquor demanded by several organisations in Odisha is "unrealistic" as consumption of liquor is a personal affair.

"It is not a realistic step to declare the entire state as a total prohibition area. Since consumption of liquor is a personal affair, the blanket ban would lead to illegal trade," Excise minister Damodar Rout told the Assembly on Wednesday.

Replying to a written question of BJP MLA Dilip Ray, the minister said while it would create opportunities for illegal and illicit trade of liquor, the people may face the consequences of the consumption of illicit liquor.

He, however, said the excise policy of the state government has provisions to regulate the use of liquor in the state.

The state government has set a target of collecting Rs 3200 crore as excise revenue in 2016-17, said sources.