Chief Secretary AP Padhi along with Development Commissioner R Balakrishnan reviewed the progress on implementation of the orders of the Supreme Court regarding removal of liquor shops within 500 meters of distance from NHs and SHs in the State.
A total of 1,712 shops have been identified presently operating within the specified distance. Chief Secretary Padhi directed the Collectors and field officers of the Excise department to shift the shops by March 31, failing which the concerned shops would be closed from April 1.
Secretary Excise Bishnupada Sethi presented the updates and outlined the legal as well as administrative issues for discussion. Revenue and Disaster Management Principal Secretary Dr Mona Sharma and Works Secretary Nalinikanta Pradhan along with other senior officials of concerned departments participated.