Govt. serious about liquor prohibition in Manipur — Manipur dy. CM

Our Correspondent Imphal, Feb. 14 (EMN): Manipur government is serious about the issue of prohibition in the state considering disappointment over its implementation. This was disclosed by Deputy Chief Minister Yumnam Joykumar while clarifying queries raised by opposition Congress legislators over reports of complete failure of prohibition. The queries were raised in the day’s discussion during the ongoing assembly on Wed. Expressing that the government is serious about the issue, Joykumar who holds finance and excise portfolios said that they did have an intention to take up a bill in this regard during the current session but could not be taken up (following Chief Minister’s suggestions). Manipur became a dry state in 1991 following introduction of Manipur Liquor Prohibition Act 1991 during the time of the RK Ranbir Singh government. Many people and government authorities, however, comments that prohibition is a complete failure in Manipur and want to lift it. Owing to the presence of a strong anti-liquor lobby, the authority and those in favour of legalising sale of liquor could not make the lifting openly till date. Stating that most of the countries including the United States have ultimately lifted the prohibition following failure in implementation, the minister also expressed the need to re-examine the issue of ‘liquor adulteration’ considering its adverse health impact on local population. So many men have died because of liquor consumption on a regular basis in Manipur. Thus the numbers of widows are on the rise in the state, said the opposition members. During last year’s state assembly, state chief minister N Biren had informed the house that the clause on ‘customary practices/purposes’ incorporated in the Manipur Liquor Prohibition Act 1991 must be amended as the word ‘customary’ mentioned in the Act is not confined to any specific area.