Manipur govt prepares draft for Liquor Regulation Policy

The Manipur government has come up with the draft Manipur Liquor Regulation Policy amid the strong opposition from civil society organisations such as the Coalition Against Drugs and Alcohol (CADA)

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The Manipur government has come up with the draft Manipur Liquor Regulation Policy amid the strong opposition from civil society organisations such as the Coalition Against Drugs and Alcohol (CADA) and women’s groups to the cabinet decision last month to legalise the sale and consumption of liquor in the state.

According to the draft policy, the move to legalise alcohol comes with altogether eight main aims and objectives, which include working towards eradication of distillation, possession, transportation,consumption and sale of illicit liquor; restricting the availability of local liquor as well as Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL ) and Foreign Made Foreign Liquor (FMFL ); reducing the impact of illicit and adulterated liquor on health; reducing the demand of intoxicating drinks; address the menace of illegal drugs; generating employment; generating revenue of the state and address the problem of the black market in liquor on account of ‘prohibition’.

The draft policy emphasised the government’s goal of prohibiting the manufacture and sale of local brew or country liquor within Manipur without FSSAI safety certification.

It also proposes to provide technical and other assistance in the production and exportation of the local brew outside of Manipur.

Furthermore, no IMFL, FMFL, or Country liquor will be sold except at outlets licenced by the government and managed by a government agency or licence holder.

It is also stated that licences for the sale and serving of liquor will be granted only to specified hotels and tourist destinations with at least 20 rooms and hygienic conditions.

The policy also stated that no liquor will be sold or served to anyone under the age of 25.

‘Dry Days’ will be implemented at least once a week, as well as on national or state holidays or any other day fixed by the government.

To reduce the impact of illicit and adulterated liquor on health, FSSAI certification and scientific manufacturing methods will be implemented.

To generate employment, the government proposes manufacture of beer and wine from locally available fruits and materials, primarily for export outside Manipur; making local brew or country liquor, primarily for export outside Manipur; and applying for a GI tag to promote local products outside the state.

While the government is optimistic about generating revenue from the sale of local brews outside the state and excise duties, it also plans to set apart a certain percentage of revenue generated for ’employment generation’ schemes and projects for women and youth in the state.

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