Liquor consumption allowed at ‘ON’ shops in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The Excise Department of the Odisha Government has allowed consumption of liquor at ‘ON’ shops across the state. The same was earlier banned due to the COVID-19 situation.

The government had earlier allowed only counter sale of FMFL/ IMFL/ Wine/ Beer/ RTD in the licensed IMFL ‘OFF’ and ‘ON’ shops along with home delivery.

“Government after careful consideration in exercise of powers conferred under section-93 of the Odisha Excise Act-2008 allows consumption of liquor in the Restaurant ‘ON’ / Hotel ‘ON’ / Beer Parlour ‘ON’ and Club ‘ON’ outside the containment zone with immediate effect,” a notification of the department said.

The opening hours of ‘ON’ shops will be as per their license condition.

All the ‘ON’ shops should maintain the guidelines/SOP issued by SRC and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India on preventive measures to contain spread of Covid-19, the notification said.

Local police and Excise staff will remain watchful and Collectors are authorized to close the shops in case of violation of above provisions by the licensees, the notification added.