Bhubaneswar, December 6: Excise Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan on Saturday informed the Odisha Assembly that the State Government has decided not to open new liquor shops.
In a written reply in response to a query of MLA Sarada Prasad Nayak, the Minister said "Liquor shops and bars allotted by the Government from time to time are closed due to various reasons such as public objection, court cases, involvement of the licensees in illegal trade, non-renewal of liquor licence due insolvency etc. However, the Government has decided not to open new liquor OFF/CL shops.”
The Minister’s reply came as the MLA specifically wanted to know whether the Government has any policy roadmap or proposal to move towards a liquor free Odisha and if so, what steps are being planned or implemented in this direction.
In another written reply, the Minister disclosed in the House that a total of 124.992 kg of brown sugar has been seized while 1,426 cases has been registered and 1,522 persons has been arrested in last four years in the State.
“Till November this year, 29.167 kg brown sugar has been seized and 331 persons have been arrested in the State,” Harichandan told the House.
Further, in yet another written reply, the Minister informed the House that 1,66,941 kg of ganja has been seized while ganja plants in 52,235 acres of land have been destroyed in the State in last five years.
