Expert panel tables white paper on liquor policy
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 08 2023: Amid objection from different sections of the society, especially from Meira Paibi organisations and CSOs working against drugs and alcohol, the Expert Committee on Formulation of Whitepaper, 2023 empanelled by the state government, has brought out the whitepaper titled 'Regulating Liquor in Manipur' on Saturday.

Chief Minister N Biren chaired a meeting with his ministerial coleagues and members of the expert committee to discuss the whitepaper, at his office secretariat on Saturday around 1 pm.

The meeting lasted more than two hours, in which the expert committee members made powerpoint presentations of held survey reports, national family health survey report, lab testing reports on the contents of local liquor, domestic violence and impact of liquor consumption in the society among others.

Sharing a highlight of the meeting in his social media handles, the CM said that the impact of consuming unregulated liquor is disturbing and the government will soon bring the whitepaper along with the findings in the public domain.

On the other hand, source said that the whitepaper contains lab test reports of 31 liquor samples collected from different parts of the state, with contents found in some of the local liquor beyond the permissible limit set by the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) .

The samples were collected from Konthoujam, Phayeng, Lamphel Sanakeithel, Lei maram, Sekmai, Tairenpok-pi, Andro, Khurai, Sekmai, Pallel Lamkhai, Kakching Lamkhai, New Keithelmanbi, Tamenglong, Thangmeiband Mujikhul, Churachandpur parking, Sawombung Kabui, Tokpaching, Andro Parking, Tamei, Ukhrul, Churachan dpur Meetei Leikai, Moirang Thana Leikai, Nambol, Sugnu Keithel, Kakching parking and Nongdam among others.

Alcoholic beverages, as per FSSAI standard, should contain alcohol level of 19 to 43 V/V.While samples from Andro and Sekmai exceed the highest value, samples from other areas like Tamenglong and Kakching parking have below the FSSAI value.

Permissible limit of ester in 100 litre of liquor is 150 gram but samples collected from most of sources were found exceeding the limit.

Similarly, aldehyde and volatile acid contents in many of the samples were found beyond the permissible limit of 35 gram per 100 litres for aldehyde and 100 gram for volatile acid.

The whitepaper also contains NFHS report, which shows alarming rate of liquor consumption such as 63 per cent daily drinker, 36 per cent being underage minors.

It also includes reports on health impacts of consuming unregulated liquor which include risk of mental health conditions, hepatitis and di abetes among others.

It also contains reports like using PDS rice in liquor production, consumption of firewoods in the production process and its contribution in deforestation.

The whitepaper also includes recommendations for regulating liquor production, sale and consumption to minimise negative impact while enhancing the state's economy, as well as producing international brand.

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