Bhubaneswar: Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan today informed the Assembly that the state government decided to shut down the dance bars in the state and will take steps to completely shut the illegal liquor network across Odisha within a year.
Responding to an adjournment motion brought by the Opposition over the Chikiti hooch tragedy, the Minister said that the government will ensure that there no liquor outlets remain in proximity to schools, colleges and temples in the state.
Similarly, steps will be taken to intensify anti-drug awareness programs in the state in the coming days. In addition, the Minister informed that the state government is going to bring a new Excise policy in a few days.
Odisha Assembly witnessed a ruckus for the fourth consecutive day Friday with opposition BJD and Congress both demanding the resignation of Excise Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan over liquor deaths in Ganjam district.
During the Zero Hours and Adjournment Motion, the opposition members expressed concern about the deaths due to the consumption of spurious liquor in Ganjam’s Chikiti.
After the MLAs of the ruling party expressed their views on the issue, the Excise Ministers finally gave their answer in the house. Based on the Minister’s reply, the Deputy Speaker rejected the adjournment notice.
