Manipur CM concerned over excessive use of liquor in state, asks for White Paper to regulate

CM N Biren Singh expressed serious concerns at the findings of the Expert Committee and have asked for a White Paper to regulate alcohol in the state

Manipur CM N Biren Singh expressed serious concerns about the findings of an expert committee that listed the high levels of alcohol consumption in the state and also highlighted the ill effects of alcohol, particularly adulterated, cheap quality liquor, on health of people, negative fallout on families, domestic violence among other ill effects.
The Chief Minister has now asked the expert committee to prepare a White Paper to regulate sale and consumption of liquor in the state.
“The findings tabled by the committee regarding health hazards, domestic violence, negative impact on society by adulterated liquor is deeply alarming,” the CM tweeted after his meeting with the expert committee yesterday.

The Expert Committee on Formulation of Whitepaper, 2023, formed by the Manipur government tabled the whitepaper titled “Regulating Liquor in Manipur” yesterday, April 8 during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister N Biren Singh at the CM Secretariat.
During the meeting, the expert committee members gave PowerPoint presentations on a variety of topics, including the results of recent surveys, the results of the national family health survey, lab test results on the ingredients of local alcohol, domestic violence, and the effects of alcohol usage on society.
As per sources, the whitepaper includes lab test results from 31 liquor samples that were gathered from various parts of the state with some local booze having components that were discovered to be beyond the permitted limit established by the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI).
The NFHS data, which is also included in the whitepaper, shows an alarming rate of alcohol consumption, with 63% of daily drinkers being underage drinkers in 36% of cases.
Reports on the negative effects of using illegal alcohol on one’s health are also included, including information on the possibility of developing mental health issues, hepatitis, and diabetes, said sources.
Additionally, the whitepaper also includes reports on the use of PDS rice in the manufacture of alcoholic beverages, the use of firewood during production, and its role in the destruction of forests.
The whitepaper made suggestions for controlling the manufacture, sale, and consumption of alcohol to reduce negative effects while boosting the state’s economy and creating an international brand.
It is worth mentioning here that the Manipur cabinet had in September 2022 partially lifted the prohibition on liquor considering the alarming health issues arising out of the consumption of unregulated, adulterated liquor.

Manipur was declared a dry state in 1991 after enacting Manipur Liquor Prohibition Act, 1991.

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