Demonetisation hits liquor sale across Odisha

BHUBANESWAR: The demonetisation of high value currency notes has adversely affected the sale of liquor across Odisha with most of the outlets reporting a decline in sales even as queues outside ATMs and banks continued to swell.

Of the total 3843 liquor shops in the state, 50 per cent have reported a decline in sales following banning of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes from November 8 mid-night, an official at the excise department said.

Under this backdrop Excise Revenue collection is likely to be badly hit even as the state government has set a target of Rs 3,300 crore collection during the ongoing fiscal.

While the excise collection in 2015-16 was Rs 2568 crore, this time the government expected an additional Rs 800 crore.

The liquor is supplied to the licenced shops through Odisha State Beverage Corporation Limited ( OSBC).

The business of the Corporation has been considerably less during November in several districts as compared to earlier months, the official said, adding that the volume of liquor sale has also slipped in hotels and restaurants.

The excise personnel on the basis of feedback received from sale counters acknowledged that the IMFL and country liquor sale plummeted drastically.

"Though we do not maintain weekly sale records, the sale of both IMFL and country spirit has made a nosedive drastically. The officials at the ground level have informed regarding the fall of sale of liquor of all varieties," said Kendrapara district Excise Superintendent, Ram Narayan Seth.
Jagatsinghpur Excise Superintendent, Rajat Kuamar Praharaj also reported about a similar situation in his district.