Dry Days During Odisha Panchayat Polls; Restaurants, Clubs Barred From Serving Liquor

Bhubaneswar: Seeking to check allurement of voters through alcohol, Excise Commissioner on Monday directed district collectors and magistrates to declare 48 hours preceding Panchayat elections and the duration of the polling as ‘dry days’ in Odisha.

This order will also be applicable on days of re-poll if any, the order stated.

No liquor shops, hotels, restaurants, clubs and other establishments will be permitted to sell/serve on these days. This is also applicable to non-propriety clubs, star hotels/restaurants and even those issued different categories of licence for possession and supply of liquor. Individuals have been barred from storing liquor during this period.

They have also been asked to take steps to prohibit the sale of liquor in the areas adjoining the wards and intensify raids to avert ant liquor-related issues.

The Panchayat polls will be held in five phases between February 16 and 24. The counting of votes will be held on February 26, 27 and 28.