Malkangiri: In a significant community-driven move, residents of Niliguḍa village under Padia block of the district have imposed a complete ban on sale, consumption, and brewing of liquor. The decision was taken collectively by villagers to address rising social issues linked to liquor consumption.
Under the new rules, anyone found drinking or brewing liquor in the village will be fined Rs 5,000. The restriction is not limited to Niliguḍa alone. Similar prohibitions have been enforced in nearby villages, including Uskabal, Pujariguda, and Puruna Niliguḍa under the same panchayat.
These villages are predominantly inhabited by members of the Koya tribal community, who depend on agriculture and forest produce for their livelihood. According to villagers, alcohol consumption had earlier led to frequent domestic violence, disputes, and neglect of work, causing unemployment and financial instability.
To tackle the worsening situation, village leaders convened meetings and decided to enforce a strict ban on liquor. Since the implementation of the rules, noticeable changes have been observed, with a decline in alcohol consumption and related disturbances.
However, the ban includes limited relaxations. Liquor brewing is permitted in small quantities during traditional occasions such as marriages, funerals, and post-death rituals.
Budra Kartami, former sarpanch of Niliguḍa panchayat and secretary of a tribal association, said the initiative was launched a few months ago following multiple village-level meetings. The liquor trade had become widespread in the name of tradition, making it difficult to maintain order in the community.
“People were heavily addicted and often unresponsive. Liquor was being brewed in almost every household. Now, after the joint decision by the community and village committees, the practice has stopped. It has improved health conditions and helped restore family stability,” he said.
Encouraged by the success of the initiative in a few villages, plans are underway to extend the liquor ban to other parts of the panchayat in the coming days.