Manipur goes for partial lifting of liquor prohibition

The decision to partially lift the ban on brewing, consumption and sale of liquor in Manipur was recently taken by the cabinet of the state of Manipur.

This decision has been taken with the objective to give an impetus to the state’s revenues and to minimise health problems caused by consumption of illicit alcohol. However, people transporting liquor from one place to another would need the possession of a permit in Manipur.

The prohibition will be lifted from all the district headquarters including Imphal city, tourist destinations, hotels with at least 20-bed lodging facilities, and camps of security forces stationed in Manipur.

Since 1991, the sale, brewing and consumption of liquor were banned for all residents of Manipur except for those people from Manipur who belonged to the SC and ST communities, who traditionally brew it.

But despite the ban, effective control of liquor consumption has been a challenge in the north-eastern state.