Odisha’s new excise policy prohibits liquor shops near the 12th-century Shree Jagannath Temple and the 2.6 km Grand Road to Gundicha Temple, thereby protecting the sacred sanctity of Puri.
Effective April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2029, replaces the annual system, bringing predictability. No new OFF, country liquor, out-still shops statewide; rural ON shops barred except premium hotels.
0.5% de-addiction cess on excise duty introduced. Licence fees rise 10-20% annually; the MGQ system was replaced with the MGER model, reducing sales pressure. The Track and Trace system monitors ENA from production.
All production units and retail outlets are under CCTV with live feeds to the Excise Commissioner. Upgraded chemical labs ensure liquor quality control, curbing illicit trade.
Existing bhang shops remain, but alcohol outlets are banned, preserving Jagannath Dham’s purity. Policy balances revenue growth with public health, strengthening the Hindu pilgrimage ethos.
