Bhubaneswar: Odisha government has imposed a ban on the sale and distribution of liquor five days in view of the upcoming general elections to Urban Local Bodies across the State.
In his letter to all the district collectors of Odisha, Excise Commissioner, Ashish Kumar Singh, said that the general election to 106 Municipalities/NACs and 3 Municipal Corporations are scheduled to be held on March 24 from 8 AM to 5 PM and counting will be done and results will be declared on March 26. In view of this, the collectors have been asked to ensure a ban of the sale of liquor/IMFL/Country liquor in all the urban local bodies during the period of 5 PM of March 22 to March 26.
No liquor shops, hotels, restaurants, clubs and other establishments selling/serving liquor shall be permitted to sell/ serve liquor to anyone whosever, on the aforesaid days.
Non-proprietary clubs, star hotels, restaurants etc. and hotels run by anyone even if they are issued different categories of licenses for possession and supply of liquor shall also not be permitted to serve liquor on these days.
The storage of liquor by individuals shall be curtailed during the above period and the restrictions provided in the exercise law on the storage of liquor in unlicensed premises shall be vigorously enforced.
In addition to the above, steps may be taken to prohibit clandestine movement of liquor from the areas where the restrictions have not been in-force. Intensified joint raids by excise/police and forest personnel may be restored to avert any liquor-related issue.
Ms Kalinga
New licence in alcohol