Biren, Nupi Samaj hold ‘productive’ meeting on Manipur Liquor Regulation Policy

Imphal: Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh on Wednesday held a very ‘productive’ meeting with the representatives of Nupi Samaj, a women organisation, regarding the Manipur Liquor Regulation Policy at the chief minister’s secretariat, here.

Biren shared the information on his Facebook wall.

“During the meeting, we exchanged our views on the implementation of the policy and I have also assured that massive drives against unregulated liquor will be conducted throughout the state,” the chief minister said.

He was joined by ministers Y. Khemchand Singh, Govindas Konthoujam, Nemcha Kipgen and Awangbow Newmai.

Nupi Samaj and few others have been opposing the state government’s initiative in legalisation of liquor production and sale in the state by partially lifting the Manipur Liquor Prohibition Act, 1991.

Coalition Against Drug and Alcohol says it will not meet the government until a white paper is produced on the policy.

The government is in the process of permitting production of  indigenous distilled liquor to market outside the state, and to allow sale of Indian Made Foreign Liquor to license holders.

Manipur government had recently issued draft Manipur Liquor Regulation Policy and draft public information for restrictions on liquor legalisation in the state.

Police have also been hectic in seizing illegal sale of liquor in the state.