By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, March 28, 2017: In a major decision, the Odisha government has included sale of draught beer in the new excise policy in a bid to divert young generation from strong alcohol.

The draught beer initially will be sold in six cities viz, Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Puri, Sambalpur, Rourkela and Berhampur.

The new excise policy for 2017-18 announced on Monday also has the provisions to discourage unauthorised sale of liquor and pouch liquor business in the State.

The state government also agreed to implement the Supreme Court order to move all liquor shops beyond 500 metres from national highways.

Besides, model premium liquor shops will be opened at airport, shopping malls and three-star hotels in the state. Hotels and clubs will be given permission to open additional bars. This apart, the import fees on beer as well as Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) have been increased to encourage local production and employment.

The Excise Department further made it mandatory for the liquor outlets to give cash memo to the customers during purchase of liquor. Besides, the outlets will have to display up-to-date rate charts of maximum retail prices of various liquors at their counters.