Cuttack: Putting an end to speculations, excise minister Prithiviraj Harichandan on Saturday clarified that there is no plan to shift the excise office from Cuttack to Bhubaneswar. Addressing the assembly session, the minister said the excise office in Cuttack is functioning efficiently with full strength and necessary infrastructure.
Earlier, several political leaders, including former Barabati-Cuttack MLA Mohammed Moquim and residents of Cuttack had raised concerns over the potential move, fearing that it would affect the city’s administrative importance. “It’s a welcome move, as the minister has clarified on the issue. Cuttack has been the hub of excise operations for decades. Any move to shift such an important office would have invited resistance, as it would affect the socio-economic fabric of Cuttack,” said Moquim.
The excise office in Cuttack oversees regulatory functions, enforcement of liquor laws, and revenue generation, playing a pivotal role in maintaining law and order related to excise matters.