The Odisha government will conduct a lottery for liquor shops across the state next month under its new excise policy, which will govern allocations for the next five years, Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan announced on Thursday.
The minister said the entire process will be carried out in a completely transparent and fair manner. Since the existing liquor shop licences are due to expire on March 31, the April lottery will decide fresh allotments for the coming five-year period.
This will be the first time the state is organising the liquor shop lottery through an electronic system. Harichandan assured that every step of the draw will take place in the presence of the respective district collectors to maintain full transparency and accountability.
The government has placed strict restrictions on opening any new liquor outlets. However, licences for shops that are already operational or have been granted permission will be renewed through the lottery. Successful applicants will receive five-year licences.
To ensure the allotment process remains clean and objective, a dedicated team has been constituted under the chairmanship of the Principal Secretary of the Excise Department. The minister noted that although the new excise policy is progressive and transparent, its late finalisation has caused some delay in the overall process.
