India's Odisha government bans liquor sales and home delivery near Shree Jagannath Temple
Temple-area liquor retailers must cease in-store and home deliveries immediately
Change
India's Odisha government has implemented an excise policy, effective April 1, 2026, that bans liquor sales and home delivery within the Shree Jagannath Temple and Grand Road precincts through March 31, 2029.
Why it matters
The excise policy also imposes a 0.5% de-addiction cess on liquor sales during the policy window. Opening new 'ON' retail shops in rural areas is prohibited under the policy, removing licensing availability for that category while it remains in force.
Implications
- — Temple-area liquor retailers and delivery services must stop all in-store sales and home deliveries immediately — continued operations risk regulatory enforcement under the excise policy.
- — District excise licensing teams must not approve or must hold pending any new 'ON' shop licence applications in rural areas from April 1, 2026 — granting licences would contravene the policy and expose the approving office to enforcement action.
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Source
View on The Hindu