Odisha Excise Policy for 2023-24 Approved; No Increase in Number of FL-OFF Shops, No License for ‘ON’ Shop in Rural Areas

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government on Thursday approved the Excise Policy for the financial year 2023-24.

As per the new Excise Policy, there will be no increase in number of FL-OFF, premium FL-OFF and CL shops for the year 2023-24. The license of existing FL-OFF & CL (ENA based) EP holders would be renewed for a period of one year i.e. up to end of March, 2024.

No new application for ‘ON’ shop license shall be accepted for rural areas in 2023-24, according to the 2023-24 Excise Policy.

In urban areas new ‘ON’ shop license can be granted for only star hotels and other hotels having such minimum number of rooms to be decided by Excise Department. For new ‘ON’ licenses to be granted/ renewed in urban or rural areas, shops must adhere to basic infrastructure and hygiene requirements from consumer point of view.

Beer parlours would be allowed to sell Beer as well as LABS/ RTDs and wine. °ON” shops are not allowed for Counter Sale like “OFF” shops, the policy stated.

There has been nominal increase in License Fee, MGQ, Application Fee for Manufacturers, Suppliers as well as Retailers in this year’s Policy. There has been a marginal increase in Excise duty for IMFL.

Enforcement activities will be further strengthened through improved intelligence collection, better infrastructure and resources, enhanced deployment of enforcement staff as well as use of technology for monitoring and supervision, as per the new Excise Policy.