Excise Policy / Jibana Jindabad 2.0: No New Liquor Shops, Gutkha Banned in Odisha

Bhubaneswar, Oct 5: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced sweeping measures under the new excise policy, declaring that no new liquor shops will be opened in the state for the next three years.

Local administrations have been made accountable for curbing illicit and toxic liquor trade, while the production and sale of tobacco, nicotine-based pan masala, and gutkha will be completely banned. Schools and colleges across the state will now be designated as “no-intoxication zones.”

Speaking at the Jibana Jindabad 2.0 programme organized by Commissionerate Police at the Railway Auditorium on Sunday, CM Majhi warned that addiction destroys not only individuals but entire families and society.

Also read: Odisha Student Union Elections To Be Held On October 15, Minister Confirms

He urged the youth to stay away from intoxicants and pledged to root out substance abuse from Odisha.

The Odisha Chief Minister emphasized resilience in life, noting that true living means facing obstacles and failures with courage. He highlighted the success of the Jibana Jindabad campaign launched last year, which has significantly reduced suicide tendencies.

The new phase, Jibana Jindabad 2.0, aims to steer young people away from addiction and towards education, sports, and creativity. CM Majhi also launched a dedicated website on “Nasha Mukt Bharat” created by Commissionerate Police.

Expressing concern over rising crime and violence against women linked to substance abuse, Majhi cited alarming statistics: nearly 2.6 to 2.8 lakh deaths occur annually in India due to alcohol consumption.

Odisha ranks second in the country for deaths caused by drunk driving, a fact he described as deeply worrying.

Reaffirming Odisha’s commitment to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s target of making India completely addiction-free by 2029, CM Majhi said the state government is determined to achieve this goal.

He added that a positive trend is emerging, with many young people choosing to spend money on protein and energy drinks instead of intoxicants.

The event also featured cultural performances, including plays and awareness skits such as Jibana Jindabad, Nasha Mukt Yuva Samaj, Vikashit Bharat, and Bhoot Manishara Nishaku Na. Senior police officials, including DGP Vinaytosh Mishra and Commissioner Suresh Dev Datta Singh, were present.