By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, December 30, 2016 : In a bid to facilitate cashless transaction and address the cash crunch, Odisha State Beverages Corporation Limited (OSBCL) on Friday launched its online payment service

Launching the service, chief secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi said that the initiative is yet another step towards ease of doing business in the state. Besides, the service will enable faster and transparent transactions helping retailers, he added.

Padhi further asked OSBCL authorities to initiate steps for automating other operations including godown management and inventory management up to retail level of the Corporation.

Incidentally, many retail liquor shops also have started cashless transaction to stem the decline in the sale of liquor in the wake of demonetisation.

Excise Secretary Bishnupada Sethi said demonetisation has had adverse impact on the sale of liquor across Odisha with excise revenue declining by Rs 20 crore this year as compared to last year.

He, however, added that the online service — developed within a week by National Informatics Center Bhubaneswar with active support from State Bank of India – is likely to arrest the trend.

Online sale of liquor will start at Chandikhole depot starting today. The retailers can purchase liquor online from April 1, 2017, he added.

It may be mentioned here that OSBCL has nine depots at Chandikhol, Khordha, Nirgundi, Angul, Sambalpur, Balasore, Berhampur, Rayagada and Bolagir. About 1600 retailers are attached to these depots.