The State Government has reopened the closed liquor shops at Namatara in Kendrapada district and Niladri Vihar in Bhubaneswar following directives by the Orissa High Court, stated Excise Minister Damodar Rout in the State Assembly on Wednesday.
The shops had been closed after massive anti-liquor protests by locals. Replying to a question by BJP MlA Dilip Ray, Dr Rout said the foreign liquor shop at Namatara, where protesters were victims of a police crackdown, had got Government approval on October 15, 2005.
The authorised shop could not be opened due to a HC order. later, the shop was opened following the court’s directive, he said.
The shop located at Niladri Vihar had obtained licence during 2011-12. The locals were opposing the shop as educational institutions and temples are situated nearby. The Excise Principal Secretary on March 19, 2014 had examined some irregularities alleged about the shop, and on the basis of the fact the shop was closed in the same month, Dr Rout said. He added that the district Collector had also proposed to the Excise Commissioner cancellation of the licence given to the shop.
“However, the High Court directed to continue the shop till further orders after the liquor shop owner approached the court,” the Minister said.
He further said the Government in January last year had issued a directive to remove the liquor shops situated at a distance of 50 metre from the NHs and State highways. The process is underway. The delay in following the order is reported as getting litigation-free land for operating the liquor shop is a time-consuming matter.
There were 704 liquor shops near the highways across the State when the directive was issued. Meanwhile, 529 shops have been shifted, he stated.