KalingaTV News Network
Daringbadi: An anti-liquor drive in Daringbadi Block of Kandhamal district has intensified with women protesting the renewal of license of foreign liquor shops in the block on Sunday. They alleged that the license renewal process was carried out illegally in the district.
A group of women in a press meet, said that there should be an open meeting at the Panchayat level to decide the starting of a liquor sale unit and renewal of their license as per the law. The shops are opened and licenses are given with mutual understanding between the concerned government officials and the license owners, they added.
“The renewal of license for foreign liquor outlets is done illegally here as there is a nexus between the concerned officials and license owners. Their licenses should be cancelled. We had approached the district collector earlier over the matter. Besides, we had submitted a memorandum to press our demand,” said Bilasini Nayak, President of Daringbadi women group.
The protesters have threatened to hit the street if the illegal licenses are not cancelled at the earliest.
The Excise Department in the district had issued a notification for the renewal of the license on December 1, 2017.
Currently there are 12 foreign liquor shops in Khajuripada, Phiringia, Barakhama, K.Nuagaon, Kurtamgarh, Tumudibandh, Kotagarh, Raikia, Sarangada, Bamunigaon, Tikabali, Sankar Khal, Brahmanpada and Kalinga in the district.
Sources said, there are proposals to open three more liquor selling units at Brahmanpada, Balandapada and Kalinga.
Ms Kalinga