Controlled sale will reduce liquor consumption: CM Biren
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, September 30 2022: Chief Minister N Biren Singh led the state in paying rich tributes to Jana Neta Hijam Irawat during the state level observance of Jana Neta Hijam Irawat Day, 2022 held at Irawat Square, Thangmeiband Lilashing Khongnangkhong, here, on Friday.

Speaking as chief guest of the observance, Biren opined that the government and the public are working together as a team and moving forward, and further assured that the government will never take up any work or policy which will harm or will be against the people of the state.

Biren called upon senior officers of the state police to launch a mass drive against sale of illegal liquor as the government is preparing for implementation of liquor legalisation in the state.

The report on the test conducted by experts on local liquor is frightful.

Moreover, production of local liquor in olden days is quite different from the present time, he added.

Stating that the initiative for legalisation of alcohol is due to inability of restricting liquor in the state, he contended that consumption of liquor in the state will be reduced to 20-30 per cent as it will not be available easily.

The government is trying to restrict bringing in of adulterated liquor in the state.

He said the government will work hand in hand with the people of the state, and added that being a democracy there will be some who will disagree but the government will work with the majority of the public.

Biren further pointed out that formulation of law is done in parliament for the central government and in the state assembly for the state government.

Election is done for framing laws and policies.

So, it would be wrong to question those who were consulted with for the decision taken by the assembly.

Democracy does not allow discussion with 30 lakh people for framing a policy or law.

Moreover, assembly cannot take any decision without a quorum, the CM elaborated.

Speaking on issues related to student bodies' election, the chief minister appealed to all concerned to let all student-related issues be done in a free and fair manner.

We should all maintain and honour the liberty and freedom of students and after proper consideration, their elections should be held at the earliest in a free and fair manner, he added.

Biren also reminded that freedom of speech and freedom of press also have a limit of decency and morality and said; "we are all bound by the constitution of the country and cannot act beyond that".

The chief minister said that the real meaning of the observance will be realised when we not only offer flowers to the late leader's statue but willing to follow in his footsteps and do some good for the society.

Biren maintained that Jana Neta Irawat stood for the downtrodden, poor, uplift of the poor and believed in a united Manipur of both hills and valley.

He also said that Irawat served the society in various capacities.

He was a poet, journalist, theatre artiste, polo player, leader and guide during the Nupi Lal of 1939.The birth anniversary observance was not conducted at state level previously, but was held as state function with the coming of the BJP government, he mentioned.

Agriculture minister Thongam Biswajit Singh, who also attended the event, said that it is time to understand why we are observing the day.

Jana Neta Hijam Irawat believed in a strong and united Manipur, he said, adding that our younger generation should follow and imbibe Jana Neta Hijam Irawat's ideals of unity and eradicating inequality from the society.

The minister also highlighted the late leader's various services for the society.

The observance was also attended by ministers Govindas Konthoujam, L Susindro Meitei, Kashim Vashum and H Dingo, MLAs, adhyaksha, ZP members, pradhans, chief secretary, civil officials, police officials and students, among others.

Comment