Bhubaneswar, Aug 23: All the illegal liquor shops and dance bars across Odisha will be shut down with in one year, Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said at the State Assembly on Friday.

Replying to an adjournment motion on the recent hooch tragedy in Ganjam district, Harichanda said,"All the illegal liquor shops in the State will be shut down within one year."

"The government is contemplating closing all dance bars as they conflict with our Odia ‘Asmita’ (cultural pride). The presence of women dancing in these bars does not align with our culture and tradition, " he added.

The Minister also outlined the State government's plans for a new excise policy before August 31.

The Minister said liquor shops will be prohibited near religious institutions, schools, and colleges. Furthermore, the state government plans to demolish illegal liquor shops that were permitted under the previous administration.

Harichandan also said the Excise Department has started a campaign to stop illegal liquor trading in the State. Raids are being conducted across the State.

"In the wake of the Ganjam incident, the department has started a special drive to check illegal liquor trading. From August 20, the sleuths have seized 20,726 liters of illegal liquor. As many as 376 illegal liquor cases have been filed. While 267 people have been arrested, four are on the run," he said. " As many as 26 vehicles have been seized."

The move was taken in the backdrop of the Ganjam hooch tragedy, in which at least two people were killed and 17 others hospitalised.

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