Liquor sales and consumption are now permitted in the state of Manipur, according to the cabinet. This choice is being made in the midst of a campaign against drug and alcohol misuse as well as a protracted ethnic war. Under the leadership of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, the cabinet gave its approval for the production, possession, export, import, transportation, buying, selling, and consuming of alcoholic beverages. With this legalisation, the state government anticipates earning between Rs 600 and Rs 700 crore in revenue annually. The ‘Manipur Liquor Prohibition Act’ was passed by Manipur in 1991, and it was partially removed last year. Scheduled caste and scheduled tribal people were granted exemptions to the prohibition in accordance with their traditions and customs.
After passing the “Manipur Liquor Prohibition Act” in 1991, Manipur became a dry state.
The state cabinet gave its approval for the production, acquisition, sale, transportation, export, import, and possession of alcoholic beverages. Chief Minister N Biren Singh presided over the meeting.
According to YENDA NEWS, on Wednesday a gazette notification including comprehensive guidelines and regulations for the legalization of alcohol would be released.
An official quoted in the report states that the state government anticipates receiving between Rs 600 and Rs 700 crore in revenue annually once alcohol is legalized.
A state without precipitation since 1991
The Manipur Liquor Prohibition Act, 1991 grants scheduled caste (SC) and scheduled tribal (ST) populations an exemption from the prohibition on alcohol brewing under their customary laws and traditional systems. Popular brewing areas are, among others, Sekmai and Phayeng in Imphal West district and Andro in Imphal East district. On September 20, 2022, the state government did, however, partially repeal the moratorium. This lift made it possible to sell and consume.
