Bhubaneswar, Dec 6: Odisha Excise Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan informed the Odisha Assembly today that the state government has not reopened any liquor shops that were previously shut down since June 2024. The statement came in response to a question raised by MLA Sarada Prasad Nayak during the ongoing session.

Elaborating on the reasons behind the closures, the minister said that several shops had been shut due to strong public objections, ongoing court cases, involvement of certain licensees in illicit liquor trade, and financial insolvency leading to non-renewal of licenses. These factors, he noted, have contributed to the state’s strict stance on regulating the sale of alcohol.

Harichandan further stated that the government has taken a conscious decision not to open any new liquor outlets in the state. This move, he suggested, reflects Odisha’s broader objective of moving gradually toward becoming a liquor-free state.

Although the minister refrained from sharing a detailed policy roadmap, he indicated that the government is in the process of formulating strategies aimed at reducing alcohol consumption and strengthening enforcement measures across the state.

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