Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has collected the highest-ever Rs 840 crore from application fees for allotment of retail liquor shops across the state.
The information was revealed following completion of the lottery process for allotment of all liquor shops in the state. The outcome was reviewed by Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan and senior departmental officials.
The Excise department had received 29,000 applications for allotment of 1,164 shops, the Minister told media.
While the application fees had been fixed at Rs three lakh for foreign liquor shops and Rs two lakh for country liquor outlets, some districts reported large number of applicants per shop.
In 2024, the collection was Rs 650 crore from 24,000 applications for liquor shop allotment. The increase in collection was Rs 190 crore more even though 15 per cent less shops have been allotted in 2026.
According to officials, Rourkela city alone received 940 applications for 32 foreign liquor outlets which fetched Rs 28.2 crore. Applications received from some other districts for allotment of shops are, 640 from Bhadrak, 585 from Balasore, 532 from Balangir and 357 from Mayurbhanj.
The Minister, who chaired the meeting of the excise superintendents in Bhubaneswar, directed officials to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to illegal liquor trade.
Illegal drug and liquor trade is not just causing loss of lives and wealth, but also creating law and order situations in the state, he said.
