Dikhyaa Mohanty 
The state government declared that all dance bars would close, which is a big step. The decision is a setback to Odisha’s thriving nightlife scene. Prithiviraj Harichandan, the Excise Minister, made a clear announcement on Friday during the adjournment motion of the Odisha Assembly that all dance bars in the state will be shut down. He went on to say that alcohol stores would not be permitted close to temples or educational facilities.
Reiterating that the state government will come down heavily on illegal liquor networks, Harichandan said illegal liquor outlets on government properties will be razed to the ground. “The illegal liquor trade will be completely shut within a year. We have started a drive to clean vices by removing bars and liquor off shops near schools and colleges. We will raze the illegal liquor shops that had been allowed during the previous government,” he said.
