File picture of ganja plantation

Bhubansewar, July 19: Excise minister Damodar Rout today said it was not possible to clamp a complete ban on the sale of liquor.

“It’s beyond my control to prohibit sale of liquor. Concerted efforts should be made in this regard from all sectors,” he said.

Responding to an adjournment motion on the alleged rampant sale of liquor, the minister said he would try and check trading of illicit liquor.

“Alcoholism is a social evil. Due to liquor consumption, cancer is spreading. Earlier, a drunkard used to be ostracised by villagers, but now the time has changed and people are being forced to accept it,” he said.

Rout also said the Bihar-Orissa Excise Act, 1895, needed amendment.

“The act says liquor shops should be set up beyond 500 metres from a national highway. However, in most cases, the law has not been adhered to. Around 267 liquor shops set up in the government medical colleges were shut down,” he said.

Expressing his concern over the sale of illicit liquor, the minister said steps were being taken to remove all the 2,100 liquor shops located near temples and schools.

Rout said the government was committed to destroy all the illegal hemp cultivation. “Last year, the government destroyed Rs 905-crore worth hemp. Now, the hemp cultivation is on in eight districts of the state,” he said, adding that the hemp produced in Afghanistan had also reached the state.

Congress chief whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati said: “The state government has shut its eyes to earn revenue from liquor trade. Now, people have taken law into their hands to destroy the liquor dens.”

BJP MLA Pradeep Purohit said: “Liquor has already vitiated the social life at the village level. The government should make sincere effort to check the sale of liquor.”