The Excise Department has decided to extend the time limit of bars and liquor shops for the forthcoming Odisha Men’s Hockey World Cup 2018.
For the purpose, the department had brought necessary amendments in the Odisha Excise Act. Earlier, the liquor on-shops and bars were allowed to remain open till 12 am.
But now the licencing laws have been relaxed and they can remain open from 12 am till 1.30 am during the Hockey World Cup from November 28 till December 16.
The extended time limit is applicable for bars and liquor on shops only in five corporation areas of the State.
Notably, Bhubaneswar is not known for its night life. The night life is confined only to a few four star hotels and pubs. But due to rush of foreign visitors and teams for the Hockey World Cup, the State Government has allowed the extra hours for the liquor joints, said an official.
“We know that during the Hockey World Cup, visitors to the city and even locals would want to go out and enjoy themselves after the day's competition is over.
So the Government has done the right thing by relaxing the rules,” said a local bar owner.
However, the Excise Department move has not amused the Opposition parties.
BJP State spokesperson Golak Mohapatra said the visitors can have drinks at where they are put up.
What is the need to go out and get drunk, he questioned. Congress leader Bibhu Prasad Tarai said, “The Government has colluded with the liquor mafia to collect funds for the forthcoming elections.”