Bhubaneswar, March 2 -- Bhubaneswar: The decision of the Odisha government to award liquor shop licences through lottery system has sparked a row with the Opposition alleging that the move is aimed at favouring the supporters of the ruling party.

As per the notification of the State excise department, the government will settle all the existing sanctioned IMFL 'OFF' and Country Liquor (ENA based) shops afresh for the year 2021-22 onwards through the process of lottery inviting applications on fixed monthly consideration money.

An applicant has to submit non-refundable application fee of Rs 1 lakh through online. He also has to deposit online EMD equivalent to three months' consideration money of the shop applied for. In the case of unsu...