Odisha imposes ban on dance bars amid hooch tragedy

Bhubaneswar, Aug 23: In response to the Chikiti hooch tragedy, Odisha Excise Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan declared on Friday that all dance bars in the state will be shut down. During a session in the state Assembly, he stated, "Dance bars will be closed in Odisha. Any illegal liquor shops operating on government land will be demolished. We are committed to dismantling the entire network of illicit liquor trade within the next year."

Harichandan also announced plans for a new excise policy reflecting 'Odia Asmita,' which will include a prohibition on liquor shops near religious sites, schools, colleges, and other educational institutions.

Addressing comments from BJD MLA Arun Sahoo, Harichandan noted that tackling illegal liquor operations has been a priority since he took over the Excise Department. "We have initiated efforts to remove bars and liquor shops from areas around schools and colleges and will dismantle the unauthorized liquor outlets that were permitted under the previous administration," he said.

This announcement follows requests from former dance bar workers who approached Excise officials, seeking the reinstatement of permits for licensed foreign liquor shops in Bhubaneswar to host dance performances. Additionally, the BJP had previously criticized the former Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government for allegedly undermining Odia culture by granting licenses to dance bars in Bhubaneswar.

The statewide ban is set to be formalized with official notifications and guidelines to be issued by the government.