Manipur to come up with white paper on liquor legalisation

Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh said that government will come up with a white paper on liquor legalisation in the state. The state cabinet recently has decided to partially lift the three decade old prohibition on liquor consumption.

This has triggered opposition from various groups in the state. Coalition Against Drugs and Alcohol (CADA) and women groups are seeking modification of the cabinet decision.

The government is expected to table a Liquor Prohibition Amendment bill to spell out its liquor policy of the state very soon.


Talking to media persons on Friday in
Thangmeiband in Manipur the chief minister said that as demanded by CADA the government is preparing a blueprint or a white paper. The blueprint will come with
‘dos and don’ts’ on the sale and brewing of liquor.

Singh assured that decision will taken only after consultation with the stakeholders. He reasoned that by this act the idea is to prevent people
from consuming adulterated liquor considering the health hazards posed by consumption of adulterated liquor.

He also asked the police to lunch drive against adulterated liquor.

As per State Cabinet decision, the sale of liquor will be confined to some specific locations, including district headquarters, tourist spots, security camps and hotels, having at least 20 bedded lodging facilities.

Government spokesperson Letpao Haokip said the decision was taken considering the health issues caused by consumption of unregulated liquor and to boost state’s revenue. He claimed that regulating liquor would earn an annual revenue of up to Rs 6 crores for the State.

Manipur became dry state in 1991 following pressure from different groups. In 1980's Women vigilante were posted in the street to prevent men from alcoholism and substance abuse.

Even militant outfits has banned sale and consumption of liquor. Government of
RK Ranbir Singh government passed the Liquor Prohibition Act of 1991 and officially declaring Manipur a “dry state” with the exemption granted to Schedule Caste (SC) and schedule Tribe (ST) communities to brew liquor for traditional purposes.

Liquor were sold in grey market and foreign liquor were smuggled into Manipur from Myanmar.

In 2002, the then Congress chief minister, Okram Ibobi Singh lifted prohibition in the five hill district of Manipur, namely, Chandel, Churachandpur, Senapati, Tamenglong and Ukhrul districts.

In the run up to assembly polls this year,
Singh proposed allowing Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) shops in the state if the BJP returned to power, Congress slammed BJP.

In a rally in Imphal East, N Biren Singh had said the state government would introduce IMFL shops if the BJP returns to power.

In August last year the Select Committee of the Manipur Legislative Assembly had given its approval to The Manipur Liquor Prohibition Act, 1991 (2nd Amendment).

The bill could not make much headway following opposition from CADA.