Odisha to take early action on social media grievances
Bhubaneswar, June 21: The Odisha government on Thursday asked all District Collectors to instruct officers concerned to take early and appropriate action on public grievances received through social media.
According an official, the state government receives a lot of grievances from various quarters through various social media accounts through Twitter and Facebook, and these are being forwarded to Additional District Magistrates (ADM), sub-Collectors and Tehsildars concerned for taking appropriate action in the matter.
In a letter to District Collectors, Revenue and Disaster Management Secretary Chandra Sekhar Kumar said that it was seen that the grievances so intimated to officers concerned are not being attended to properly, and piling up at that level.
Inaction on the part of the officials concerned is being flagged in the social media by the same applicant and is causing huge embarrassment to the government, he said, adding social media is becoming an integral part of good governance as it is an easy and dependable channel for communication at every level and allows people to give feedback on various governmental initiatives.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has also given emphasis on the use of social media for redressal of peoples' grievances, said Kumar.
"You are, therefore, requested to instruct the ADMs and officers concerned under your administration to take early and appropriate action on the public grievances received through social media and ensure that the action so taken must also be intimated to this department," he said.
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Liquor manufactures can sell liquor on tetra packs in Odisha: Minister
Bhubaneswar (PTI): Odisha Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan on Friday said the government has allowed the sale of liquor on tetra packets with certain criteria in its new Excise Policy for 2026-29.
Speaking to media persons here, Harichandan said selling liquor in tetra packs was there in the state's excise policy since 2014. However, it is not yet made available in the Odisha market, he said.
"If any licensed liquor manufacturer or vendor wants to produce or sell the liquor on tetra pack, they can do it. The government will not restrict them," he clarified.
The state government is giving priority for proper regulation of manufacturing and selling of liquor in the state, the minister added.
"We just ensure that there is no illegal sale of liquor in the state," he stated.
As per the new Excise Policy, which came into force from April 1, India-made foreign liquor (IMFL) manufacturers can supply their products in tetra packaging and in glass bottles in specified sizes. Only 180 ml can be supplied in tetra packs.
The tetra packs must have six protective layers and must have the shelf life or the date fit for consumption clearly mentioned on the packaging, the policy guidelines said.
Before using the tetra packs for packaging of liquor, the manufacturing units must take certification from the Central Food Technology Research Institute or Indian Institute of Packaging, or any such institute as notified by the excise commissioner, it said.
Earlier, opposition leaders had demanded the rollback of the government's decision to introduce the sale of liquor in tetra packs, calling the move "unethical" and "anti-youth".
