Congress member Tara Prasad Bahinipati claimed that the Excise department is riddled with corruption and that the government lacks the manpower to control the situation.
The Opposition BJP and Congress slammed the State government on Wednesday for failing to rein in rising alcohol consumption and drug abuse in the state.
Opposition members raised the issue through an adjournment motion, criticising the State government for its double standard in this regard. While the ruling BJD promotes Gandhi’s ideals, liquor stores are proliferating throughout the state, according to Opposition Chief Whip Mohan Majhi, who initiated the debate.
Majhi claimed that alcohol consumption among youths in the state has increased dramatically, and that the government has turned a blind eye to this in order to increase revenue. He stated that while excise revenue was Rs 7,600 crore in 2021-22, the State government has set a target of Rs 8,500 crore in excise revenue in 2022-23.
The BJP member demanded that the State government state its position on this issue unequivocally. He warned that an unchecked increase in alcohol consumption in the state would ruin society and that the state government should take steps to control the situation.
Congress member Tara Prasad Bahinipati claimed that the Excise department is riddled with corruption and that the government lacks the manpower to control the situation.
The Congress member accused the government of encouraging rural alcohol consumption. He claimed that ruling BJD members, excise department officials, and black marketeers work together and demanded exemplary government action against them.
In response, Minister of State for Excise Aswini Kumar Patra stated that the State government began an awareness campaign among the people because hooch consumption affects the health and finances of families.
He claimed that for the first time, the state government had used drones to detect illegal marijuana cultivation. He also stated that excise squads and enforcement teams were called in to combat the spread of illegal alcohol and other drugs among youths.
Prasanta Patnaik