Bhubaneswar: Odisha Excise Department has seized a total of 97,804 grams of brown sugar and arrested 1,234 people over the past four years, Excise Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan informed the State Assembly on Saturday.
In a written reply to a question from Salipur MLA Prasanta Behera, the Minister provided a year-wise account of the seizures and arrests:
- 2022–23: 28,593 grams seized; 278 persons arrested.
- 2023–24: 21,190 grams seized; 331 persons arrested.
- 2024–25: 19,869 grams seized; 274 persons arrested.
- 2025–26 (up to 12 February): 28,152 grams seized; 351 persons arrested.
“The Excise Department is conducting regular raids across the state to completely curb the sale of brown sugar. The NDPS Act, 1985, is being invoked against offenders, and strict action is being taken accordingly,” the Minister said.
