Manipur initiates steps to legalize country liquor for sale outside State

IMPHAL: To legalise the production and sale of country-made liquor in Manipur, Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar has started inspecting distilled indigenous country (DIC) liquor.

A select committee, formed under the chairmanship of Deputy CM Joykumar, has already inspected two DIC manufacturer units at Sekmai Awang Leikai and Phayeng in Imphal West. The Deputy CM informed the media that the team checked whether the local liquor was toxic free.

The Deputy CM added that DIC liquors form an integral part of Manipuri customs and traditions, besides serving as a source of income for the local people. He added that each household in Sekmai and Phayeng has a distillery of its own. He also said that despite the manufacture of DIC liquor, foreign- made alcohol is being imported and consumed in the State. ''We'll find ways to promote our DIC liquors for sale also outside the State besides tapping the natural skill of the local people,'' added Joykumar.

The Select Committee discussed the implementation of the 'Manipur Liquor Prohibition (Second Amendment) Bill-2018', and sought opinions and suggestions from the public on the issue. The Bill proposes to enable manufacturing of alcoholic liquor for sale outside the State.

Meanwhile, the 'Coalition Against Drugs and Alcohol' (CADA) has issued a statement stating that the Manipur government should not take any steps on legalising alcohol. It pointed out that Manipur has already begun to suffer the impact of alcohol abuse after the State witnessed an increase in alcohol consumption since the 1970s. The prominent women's organization -- 'Meira Paibis' -- has also launched a movement against alcohol to save future generation. The State Government had also declared Manipur as a dry State by enacting 'The Manipur Liquor Prohibition Act-1991'. (Agencies)

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