Executing SC order: 1712 liquor shops to be shifted in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has identified 1712 liquor shops operating along the national and state highways. The liquor shops would be shifted by March 31 following a Supreme Court order.

Chief secretary AP Padhi along with Development Commissioner R Balakrishnan on Friday reviewed the progress on implementation of the orders of the apex court regarding relocation of liquor shops operating within 500 meters of distance from the highways.

Padhi directed the district collectors and field officers of excise department to shift the shops within 31st March failing which the concerned shops would be closed from 1st April.

Excise secretary Bishnupada Sethi presented the updates and outlined the legal as well as administrative issues for discussion.