Only Naveen Patnaik can take decision on prohibition: Damodar Rout, minister

BHUBANESWAR: Faced with demands to ban alcohol in Odisha on the lines of Bihar, the state's Excise Minister Damodar Rout today said such a decision can only be taken by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

"I have no authority to ban alcohol in the state. It is the chief minister who only can take such a decision," Rout said while replying to a question on the demand for prohibition after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar declared a ban on liquor in his state from April next year.

Rout, however, advocated steps to curtail spread of liquor across the state.

The Utkal Gandhi Smarak Nidhi and the Odisha Madamukti Abhiyan have urged the chief minister for a total prohibition in the state in the lines of Bihar.

The state is currently earning a revenue of Rs 2,100 per annum from sale and manufacture of liquor, officials said.