MLPC finally comes into force
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Aizawl, January 16 2015 : The Mizoram Liquor (Prohibition and Control) Act 2014, which is a replacement for the 17 years old The Mizoram Liquor Total Prohibition (MLTP) Act , 1995 finally came into force on January 15, 2015.This however, does not mean liquor would be sold in the State instantly.

The MLPC Act which came into force on Thursday, provides strict punishment for drunken driving, drinking without permit and causing public nuisance.

The MLPC Act relies heavily on permits, including for buying alcohol, with stiff penalties and jail terms ranging from five days to five years for various offences.

The longest jail terms have been reserved for offences like drunken driving, causing 'nuisance' and drinking in public places.

In view of the implementation of MLPC Act, Excise & Narcotics Department on Thursday conducted training at its commissionerate conference hall on how to operate 'breath analyser' .

Held in the presence of Excise & Narcotics Commissioner Lalhmunsanga, the training was attended by police, traffic police and officers from Excise & Narcotics department.

The 'breath analyser' is a machine for analysing and verifying whether a person is drunk or not.

On Thursday 'breath analyser' machines were issued for use in Excise & Narcotics Department offices and various police stations.

Although the MLPC Act came into force from January 15, 2015, many formalities related to the Act have not yet been performed.

As such, Excise & Narcotics Department officials have warned the public to be cautious as violation of liquor related legislation is easy to take place because licenses/permits have not been issued formally.

The MLPC Act also empowers any citizen and voluntary organization like YMA to "arrest" offenders, provided they immediately hand them over to the police or officials of the Excise and Narcotics Department.

Earlier State Excise & Narcotics Minister R Lalzirliana had said there was a proposal to award wine shop vendor license to State PSUs like the Mizoram Food and Allied Industries Corporation (MIFCO) which would help revamp the sick public undertaking unit.

There would be two or more Bonded Warehouse in the State, he said adding there was a proposal to open four retail wine shops in Aizawl city, two shops in south Mizoram's Lunglei town and one each in the other six district headquarters.

However, the MLPC Act will not cover three ADCs- LADC, MADC and CADC of southern Mizoram.

Those with liquor permits would be entitled to buy six bottles of whisky or rum and 10 bottles each of beer and wine per month.

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