Wednesday, April 5, 2023
Odisha, which is still reeling from the effects of the Covid panemic, aims to build beach shacks to attract tourists.
The excise policy issued last week authorised the construction of beach shacks. Apart from sea beaches, it has also enabled the establishment of shacks near various water bodies such as rivers, lakes, and dams.
“For the purpose of tourism promotions, serving liquor in beach shacks is allowed in Odisha,” said the policy. It has also permitted the selling of liquor in shacks erected up near other bodies of water.
The policy also said that the licence for location and the quantity of beach shacks permitted to serve liquor will be based on permission from the government’s tourism department.
“On the beach, the activity is mostly concentrated in the evening. The entire day the tourists on the sea beach will remain bored. We need to engage them. Most tourists want liquor to be served to them. If we can extend their stay for two hours only, the tourists flow will increase by 10 per cent,” said an official of the Odisha Tourism Department. He also cited how the shacks are an integral part of beach life in Goa.
The Odisha tourism department had planned to build beach shacks in six locations around the state, including Puri sea beach, in 2021. Nevertheless, following public outcry, it withdrew from the idea.
“Now we are making another attempt this time to set up beach shacks and the excise department has approved the sale of liquor,” said an official.
As per the excise policy, the beach shacks will be allowed to operate throughout the year or for a period decided by the tourism department depending on the climatic conditions.
“The operators of the beach shacks will be either through the Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) directly or through beach shacks operators engaged by OTDC,” said the policy. All liquor, however, will be done by the OTDC only.
The new excise policy also approves a minor rise in excise tax on Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) and minimum guarantee quota (MGQ). It has also raised the application price for obtaining and renewing “Off Shops” licences from Rs 1.1 lakh to Rs 1.2 lakh. It has, however, stated unequivocally that the new application for an “ON” shop licence for rural regions would not be granted.
Wednesday, April 5, 2023
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