Bhubaneswar, Aug 31: The Odisha government has decided not to approve any new Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) "OFF" shops in the state for the financial year 2024-25. Furthermore, no new IMFL "OFF" shops, Country Liquor (CL) shops, or Out Still (OS) shops will be permitted to open during this period. Additionally, no new IMFL "ON" shops will be allowed in rural areas, except for hotels that are rated three stars and above.
Under the new excise policy, dance performances in bars have been banned. However, musical performances or orchestras will still be permitted, provided they have obtained the necessary approvals from the relevant authorities. This policy will come into effect on September 1, 2024, and will remain in force until March 31, 2025, or until a new policy is introduced. All 57 IMFL "ON" shops that were not renewed in the previous year will continue to remain closed, and there will be no increase in the Minimum Guaranteed Quantity (MGQ) factor this year.
To promote tourism, the government will allow liquor to be served at beach shacks in Odisha. Licenses for these beach shacks will be issued by the Tourism Department, and they will be allowed to operate for a limited period, depending on climatic conditions. The state government may also grant "ON" licenses to hotels operated by the Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) and the India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC). Similarly, OTDC may be granted temporary licenses to sell liquor at eco-retreats.
The new excise policy also includes plans to establish new excise centers, recruit additional staff, and deploy more vehicles to combat the illegal liquor trade in the state. The government has set up a special fund dedicated to raising awareness against liquor use.
