Odisha to settle liquor OFF shops through lottery

Bhubaneswar, Mar 2: Odisha government has decided to settle all the existing sanctioned IMFL ‘OFF’ and Country Liquor (ENA based) shops afresh for the year 2021-22 onwards through the process of lottery inviting applications on fixed monthly consideration money. The date for lottery shall be fixed by Collectors. For this purpose Collectors will issue a notice inviting applications in next few days giving wide publicity to the same. Applications will be submitted online through the portal (https://stateexcise.odisha.gov.in). 14 days window will be provided for submission of applications While applying, the applicant is required to upload his passport size photograph, copy of PAN card & identity proof document. For the existing & old licensees excise no due certificate and VAT clearance certificate will also be required. Applicant has to submit non-refundable application fee of Rs 1 lakh through online. He has to also deposit online EMD equivalent to three months’ consideration money of the shop applied for. In the case of unsuccessful applicants the EMD will be refunded online within 15 days of completion of lottery.  An applicant can submit only one application for a particular shop. But he can apply for any number of shops. Further, the applicant must be of 21 years of age. After the last date of submission of application lottery will be conducted within next 10 days. Lottery will be done physically by Collector in presence of the applicants or their authorized representative. Collectors have been asked to videograph the entire proceeding of lottery. After  lottery the provisional winner will be called for detailed scrutiny of his documents and declaration submitted earlier within next three days. He will be asked to submit Bank Guarantee equivalent to three months’ consideration money of the shop. He will also be asked to submit one month’s consideration money for the current month of license. His provisional winner status will be confirmed and he will be issued with license. The license once granted shall continue for a period of five years including the year of grant unless otherwise directed by the State government. The licensee shall renew his license on terms and conditions generally prescribed by the State government from year to year till completion of five years. This initiative has been taken up under 5T action plan of the Excise Department.