Bhubaneswar: Odisha Excise Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan on Saturday announced that the state government has granted permission to reopen 70 liquor shops that had been closed until December 12, 2024.
This decision marks a significant step towards regulating and enhancing the state’s excise revenue.
In a written reply to a question by Patna (ST) (Keonjhar) MLA Akhila Chandra Naik, the Excise Minister stated that the department has granted approval to reopen 70 liquor shops in areas where liquor sales were previously banned.
Additionally, the department is reviewing proposals to open four new licensed liquor outlets — three in Puri and one in Bhubaneswar — along with three new liquor bottling, distillery, and brewery units. These units are proposed to be set up in Cuttack (one) and Dhenkanal (two).