Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has permitted the sale of liquor in tetra packs under its new Excise Policy for 2026–29, Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said on Friday.
Addressing mediapersons, Harichandan clarified that the provision for tetra pack packaging has existed in the state’s excise framework since 2014, but such products have not yet entered the Odisha market. He stated that any licensed manufacturer or vendor willing to produce or sell liquor in tetra packs will be allowed to do so without restrictions.
The minister emphasised that the government’s priority remains strict regulation of liquor production and sale. “We just ensure that there is no illegal sale of liquor in the state,” he said.
According to the new policy, effective from April 1, India-made foreign liquor (IMFL) can be sold both in glass bottles and tetra packs, with the latter restricted to 180 ml units. The guidelines mandate that tetra packs must have six protective layers and clearly display shelf-life or consumption dates.
Manufacturers are also required to obtain certification for the packaging from recognised institutions such as the Central Food Technology Research Institute or the Indian Institute of Packaging, or any other body notified by the Excise Commissioner.
The move, however, has drawn criticism from opposition leaders, who have termed the decision “unethical” and “anti-youth,” demanding that the government roll back the provision.
