Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government is proposing to levy an addition duty in excess of 20% on the sale of liquor to fund its Covid-19 expenditure.

Sources in the government told India Whispers that the State excise department has sought the approval of the chief minister for levying the Covid-19 duty on liquor.

Meanwhile, the State government is preparing to open the liquor shops across the State with a provision of home delivery to avoid market rush. As a prelude to the exercise, the State government has allowed the bottling plants/ distilleries and breweries to go ahead with manufacturing liquor.

While the Delhi government has increased a 70% special Corona fees across the categories, Andhra Pradesh ordered two successive hikes of 25% and 50% respectively. Punjab is going to levy a special Corona charge on liquor.