Odisha Not to Add New Liquor Shops, Plans To Reform Liquor Policy: Law Min

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government will not issue licences to open new liquor shops in the state said Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said on Thursday.

“No more new liquor shops will be opened in Odisha,” he said while speaking to newsmen.

He also added that the state government has decided to reform the existing excise policy in Odisha as the government is concerned about the alarming rise in liquor smuggling. The excise policy reform will be aimed at curbing it. The loopholes in the excise rules will be identified and eradicated.

The new excise policy will also be drafted to stop the sale of illegal drugs in the state, Harichandan said.