Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government is moving ahead with a revamped excise policy focused on discouraging alcohol consumption and tightening regulatory oversight, Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said on Monday.
At a high-level review meeting held at Lok Seva Bhavan, the minister underlined that the state has no intention of increasing liquor outlets or boosting sales. Instead, the policy will prioritise public health concerns through targeted interventions.
A key proposal under the new framework is the introduction of a “De-addiction Cess” on liquor, aimed at reducing consumption and supporting awareness campaigns against alcohol abuse.
In a significant structural change, the government will do away with the existing Minimum Guarantee Quantity (MGQ) system, which required vendors to meet fixed sales targets. This will be replaced by a new MGER system, a move expected to reduce undue pressure on traders and discourage aggressive sales practices.
The minister also highlighted the dangers of illegal liquor trade, noting its impact on public safety and state revenues. He said the government is stepping up efforts to eliminate illicit trade in alcohol and narcotic substances.
To enhance transparency in the system, the allocation of liquor shops will be streamlined through an e-lottery mechanism, ensuring a fair and accountable process.
Senior officials, including Principal Secretary R. S. Gopalan, Excise Commissioner P. Anvesha Reddy, Additional Secretary Debashish Pattnaik, and representatives from the National Informatics Centre, attended the meeting.
