Odisha govt planning to ban liquor like Gujarat and Bihar, says minister

The newly-elected BJP government in Odisha is considering implementing a gradual liquor ban in the state. Odisha's social security minister Nityananda Gond emphasized that society is suffering due to alcohol addiction, and the government is committed to addressing this issue.

Gond highlighted that other states have already implemented government-level liquor bans. He affirmed Odisha's plan to follow suit after consultations with the Excise and other relevant departments. The strategy will be to gradually phase out liquor sales, aiming to make Odisha liquor-free eventually, he said.

Additionally, Gond mentioned that the government would also take measures to reduce drug consumption, aiming to foster a healthier society. It is to be noted that many states like Gujarat and Bihar have already banned liquor.


Earlier, rumors circulated on social media about a state-wide liquor ban in Odisha, set to start on August 15, coinciding with Independence Day. The viral post claimed that the government would ban Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) and country liquor. However, the state's Information and Public Relations (I&PR) Department debunked these rumors, clarifying that the information was false and misleading. The department urged the public not to believe such claims and to rely on official sources for accurate information.

The I&PR Department addressed the issue through a social media post, warning citizens about the spread of fake news. They emphasized the importance of verifying information from reliable sources and discouraged the dissemination of false rumors.