Koraput, Jan 25: The district administration in Odisha’s Koraput has withdrawn its earlier decision to ban the sale of non-vegetarian food items on Republic Day 2026.

In a fresh notification issued by the Collectorate, Koraput Collector Manoj Satyawan Mahajan revoked the order that had prohibited the sale of meat, chicken, fish, eggs and other non-vegetarian items on January 26. The withdrawal has come into effect immediately.

The earlier directive, issued on January 23, was based on a recommendation of the District Level Republic Day Preparatory Committee. The administration said the decision to cancel the order was taken after reconsideration.

The initial ban had drawn sharp reactions from residents and traders, many of whom questioned the necessity of imposing food-related restrictions on a national holiday.

Earlier, the Collector had told mediapersons that the decision to impose the ban followed discussions during a Republic Day preparedness meeting, where, according to him, a majority of participants supported the move to maintain the sanctity of the occasion.

During a meeting held on January 7, public representatives and other committee members had reportedly agreed that non-vegetarian food should not be sold on Republic Day, citing Gandhian ideology and the significance of the national celebration.

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With the revocation of the order, the sale of non-vegetarian food items will now be permitted across Koraput district on Republic Day.