Bhubaneswar, 29 March (H.S.): A total of 52 people lost their lives due to alcohol consumption during the tenure of the previous government, Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan informed the Odisha Assembly on Saturday.

Responding to a query from Balasore MLA Manas Kumar Dutta, Minister Harichandan revealed that the state collected ₹7,756.14 crore in excise revenue during the financial year 2024-25, up to March 26, 2025.

Addressing concerns regarding the location of liquor outlets, the minister clarified that shops situated near schools and temples in Balasore district were permitted as per Section 26 of the Government Excise Act.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda