Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Odisha Bars New Liquor Shops for Three Years, Targets Drugs
Odisha’s chief minister says no new liquor shops can open in the state for three years.
He made the announcement at a public event about preventing substance abuse.
He said drugs and alcohol can harm people, families and communities.
He also said intoxicants are linked to serious crimes.
He asked police and excise officials to work harder against alcohol and drugs such as cannabis, opium and synthetic drugs.
A new website for the Police Commissionerate was launched at the event.
The state says school and college campuses are substance-free zones.
It has also banned the production and sale of certain tobacco products.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said Odisha will not allow new liquor shops to open for three years.
At the Jiban Jindabad-2.0 awareness programme, Majhi reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance approach to drugs.
Majhi directed police and excise officials to take stricter action against alcohol and high-risk drugs, including cannabis, opium and synthetic drugs.
He said alcohol consumption claims 2.60 lakh to 2.80 lakh lives annually and that Odisha ranks second in fatalities resulting from drunk driving.
The state has designated school and college campuses as substance-free zones and banned production and sale of tobacco- and nicotine-laced pan masala and gutkha.
- Who
- Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, addressing the state’s police and excise administration.
- What
- Majhi announced a three-year halt on opening new liquor shops and called for stronger action against substance abuse.
- When
- Sunday; the article does not specify a date.
- Where
- Odisha, at the Jiban Jindabad-2.0 public awareness programme.
- Why
- To strengthen efforts to curb substance abuse, which Majhi said harms individuals, families and society and is linked to crime.
- New liquor shops
- None are to be allowed to open in Odisha for the next three years, according to Majhi.
- Event
- Jiban Jindabad-2.0, a public awareness programme organised by the Police Commissionerate.
- Annual alcohol-related deaths
- Majhi said alcohol consumption claims between 2.60 lakh and 2.80 lakh lives every year.
- Drunk-driving fatalities
- Majhi said Odisha ranks second in fatalities resulting from drunk driving.
- Drugs named
- Cannabis, opium and synthetic drugs.
- Other state measures
- School and college campuses have been declared substance-free zones; production and sale of tobacco- and nicotine-laced pan masala and gutkha have been banned.
- Website
- Majhi launched a dedicated Police Commissionerate website as part of the Drug-free India initiative.