Bhubaneswar: After receiving criticism from various quarters, the state government Monday decided to slightly tighten the liquor sale norms during the Men’s’ Hockey World Cup 2018 beginning here November 28.
To facilitate the pleasant stay of foreign players and visitors coming to Bhubaneswar, the excise department had come up with a notification November 20 allowing licensed ‘ON’ shops and bars in Bhubaneswar to operate till 1.30 am for a month. Such shops are usually allowed to operate till mid-night.
Excise minister Sashibhusan Behera Monday said the rules will be amended immediately and no ‘ON’ shop will be allowed to open till 1.30 am. However, bars and hotels with valid licenses can run till the extended time period, he said.
“Only hotels and bars in Bhubaneswar will be allowed to serve liquor till 1.30 am. The decision to keep ‘ON’ shops open till 1:30 am was unintentional,” Behera said.
The decision has been taken keeping in mind the arrival and stay of international players, guests and officials, who will be staying in Bhubaneswar for the duration of the Hockey World Cup and this will be in force for a month only, , the minister added.