Solution eludes Govt-Lup talk on liquor policy
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 13 2022:
An attempt of the state government to bring on-board the Meira Paibi organisations into its plan for legalising liquor in the state went into vain as the talks between the government and Meira Paibi organisations held on Wednesday failed to arrive at a consensus.
The talk held at the CM's secretariat was attended by chief minister N Biren, cabinet ministers and leaders of different Meira Paibi organisations.
Both sides are still sticking to their stands with the government insisting on going ahead with legalising liquor and the Meira Paibi organisations hell bent on opposing it.
Nupi Samaj, AMKIL, Tammee Chingmee Apunba Nupi Lup, Nongchup Imphal Palem Ima Apunba Nupi Lup, ANUL Bishnupur, Nongpok Leingak Apunba Lup and Thoubal District United Development Organisation jointly hosted a press meet at the Lamphel office of Nupi Samaj on Thursday.
Addressing the media, AMKIL president L Nganbi said that the Meira Paibi organisations are firm on their stand against liquor legalisation and they are not withdrawing their stand until their last breath.
They are demanding the government to regulate and enforce Manipur State Liquor Prohibition Act, 1991 and not to legalise liquor and regulate it, she said.
During the talk with the CM on Wednesday, they made it clear that they are not happy over the way the government brought up the policy and categorically stated they cannot accept legalisation of liquor.
They demanded the government to withdraw the cabinet decision and fully enforce the liquor prohibition policy while assuring their support in the process, L Nganbi said.
She also slammed the government for its excuse of inability to enforce liquor prohibition and expressed strong resentment that the government rendered useless all efforts made by women organisations overnight with its cabinet decision.
The president also questioned the sincerity of the government behind its attempt to prohibit liquor while citing successful liquor prohibition in PM Narendra Modi's home state Gujarat.
Instead of comparing with Goa, the government should look at Gujarat for inspiration, she added.