Bhubaneswar: The consumption of alcohol is not just harmful to individuals but also detrimental to society. Alcohol abuse has turned many once-happy families into nightmares, leading to marital discord, domestic violence, and social unrest. Excessive drinking is linked to severe health issues, including damage to the heart, kidneys, and lungs. Many people have become permanently disabled due to alcohol-related accidents, and thousands die every year. Alcohol consumption is also a major factor in crimes like rape and murder.
While conscious citizens and intellectuals strongly oppose the production and sale of alcohol, the government seems to be considering new ways to increase revenue. Despite the police and excise department conducting raids to curb illegal activities, corruption persists.
In 2024, after the general elections, the BJD government in Odisha was replaced by a BJP-led administration under Chief Minister Mohan Majhi. The new government promised a stringent excise policy, but doubts remain about its implementation. Initially, there were assurances that the production and sale of alcohol would be completely banned in the state, and no new liquor shops would be opened. However, later statements contradicted this, indicating that while no new shops would open, existing ones might continue, and efforts would be made to curb illegal liquor activities.
Toxic Liquor in Ganjam: Recently, a disturbing incident in Ganjam district’s Digapahandi block has raised concerns. Twenty people fell seriously ill after consuming locally brewed liquor in Karabaluwa and Jenapur villages. The police arrested five people in connection with the sale of the toxic liquor. Out of the affected individuals, fourteen were admitted to the Maharaja Krishna Chandra Gajapati (MKCG) Medical College in Brahmapur, while two others received treatment at Chikiti. A special medical team is attending to the patients, and the incident has sparked fear in the local community. Meanwhile, the Excise Commissioner Narsingh Bhola visited MKCG Medical College to assess the situation, and a health department team reached the affected village to investigate further.
What the Minister Said: On the 8th of this month, at a BJP-organized event, Law and Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan stated that the new excise policy is being introduced to make the existing policy more effective. According to him, no new liquor shops will be established, and the government will focus on completely stopping the illegal sale of alcohol. He mentioned that the new policy would be in effect for the next eight months, and the upcoming policy would bring significant changes.
Alcohol-Related Deaths: The issue of alcohol abuse is not limited to Odisha; it is a widespread problem across India. Some reports suggest that Indians are among the highest consumers of alcohol globally. Due to economic constraints, many people resort to consuming locally brewed liquor, which is often laced with harmful chemicals. In June, a report highlighted that for every 100,000 people in India, 38.5 die due to alcohol-related causes, compared to 16.1 in China. In June, Tamil Nadu witnessed a major tragedy when 65 people died after consuming toxic liquor, and another 150 were hospitalized.