Bhubaneswar: Ahead of the rollout of Odisha’s new three-year liquor policy, the state Excise Department is sending three teams of senior officials to study the excise frameworks of Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. The policy, expected to be implemented by mid-to-late July, aims to overhaul alcohol regulation in the state.
Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan on Monday informed that the new policy will not allow the opening of any new liquor shops, marking a departure from previous policies that prioritized revenue-driven expansion. The study tours are intended to gather insights into effective regulatory practices, enforcement mechanisms, and public health measures adopted by the four states.
The teams are scheduled to return by July 7-8, after which final adjustments will be made to the draft policy. The revised framework seeks to tackle long-standing challenges such as illicit liquor production, smuggling, weak enforcement, and outdated penalties.
Harichandan emphasized that the new policy will introduce stricter penalties, close existing loopholes, and improve monitoring systems.
Unlike temporary fixes, the three-year plan aims to establish a consistent and sustainable approach to liquor regulation in Odisha.
