Tension prevailed at Rajpur village under Sadar block in Jharsuguda district with the residents strongly opposing functioning of a country liquor shop at their village. It is pointed out that the liquor shop, existing on a Government land, is only 100 meter away from a temple and creating a vicious atmosphere all around. “Though many villagers have demanded the district administration to shift the shop somewhere else, police and the excise authorities have failed to take any step in this regard. Even the issue had also been raised in a public hearing held recently in the presence of district Collector Parameswaran B, but nothing has been done yet,” he added.
The shop is also contributing to environment pollutions as drunkards mostly purchase pouch liquors available in the shop and trash the used pouches randomly. Besides, frequents accidents are also seen near the shop, rued another villager. When asked, the district Collector expressed his willingness for immediate closure of the liquor shop.