The government led by N Biren Singh in Manipur has undertaken a significant overhaul of the state's liquor policy, marking a departure from the dry state status that persisted for over three decades. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) administration has decided to lift the liquor ban, emphasizing the need to boost the state's revenue and curtail the circulation of adulterated alcoholic beverages.
In a transformative move, the cabinet, under the leadership of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, has granted approval for various facets of liquor-related activities, including manufacture, production, possession, export, import, transport, purchase, sale, and consumption. This marks a pivotal shift from the stringent prohibition in place for more than 30 years.
The detailed rules and regulations governing the legalization of liquor were outlined in a gazette notification published on December 6. The notification, exercising the authority conferred under the proviso to sub-section (2) of section 1 of the Manipur Liquor Prohibition Act, 1991, officially rescinds the said Act from the areas of the state of Manipur.
The initial relaxation of the liquor ban occurred in September 2022, allowing for the sale and consumption of alcohol at district headquarters, hotels with a minimum of 20 beds, and the export of locally brewed country liquor. The recent decision to entirely lift the prohibition underscores the government's commitment to addressing social issues and domestic violence linked to alcohol consumption.
It is noteworthy that Manipur had initially transitioned into a dry state following the enactment of the Manipur Liquor Prohibition Act, 1991, prompted by public demand, particularly from women's groups, in response to the social challenges associated with alcohol consumption. The phased relaxation of the ban in September 2022 marked the beginning of a paradigm shift in the state's liquor policy, ultimately leading to the recent comprehensive decision to end the decades-long prohibition.
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