Liquor outlets on highways within city limits to reopen in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Clarifying its decision of banning sale of alcohol within 500 meters of State and National Highways (NHs), the Supreme Court, on Wednesday, clarified that the ban does not apply within city limits, thereby allowing reopening of all the liquor shops on highways coming under Municipality areas across Odisha.

The decision of the apex court is being seen as a relief for the liquor and hospitality industry in Odisha. Besides, it will help government to minimise its losses due to closure of liquor vends following SC ruling in April this year.

This move will not only enable liquor vends, falling under the city limits, to open shutters but also boost applications for license renewal.

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“We will work as per the ruling of the SC and ensure no one violates the new guidelines,” said Excise Minister Sashi Bhusan Behera.

As many as 1,712 liquor shops across Odisha were shut after March 31 midnight following which the State was expected to lose about Rs 1,100 crore annually as excise revenue. But with the new ruling coming into effect, as many as 400 liquor outlets will be reopened.

"The State government was incurring huge losses due to the ban. Besides, the decision will put a cap on rampant sale of illegal liquor,” said Pravat Kumar Dash, President, Wine Merchants Association of Khurda district.

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To circumvent the Supreme Court ban on liquor shops, the State government had earlier re-classified the NHs crossing through Corporation, Municipality, Sub-division, Block and Tehsil headquarters.