CADA demands rollback of cabinet decision on liquor
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, September 21 2022:
Denouncing Tuesday's cabinet decision to legalise production and sale of liquor, Coalition Against Drugs and Alcohol (CADA) has demanded the government to revoke the decision immediately.
Talking to media persons at its Palace Gate office here on Wednesday, CADA secretary general Geetchandra Mangang pointed out that legalising liquor in the state due to failure of the government to effectively implement the Manipur Liquor Prohibition Act, 1991 is a wrong move.
If the government legalises all which cannot be controlled and restricted, then it should legalise corruption as well, he remarked.
Legalising sale and use of liquor amidst the 'War on Drugs' mission is self-contradictory for strict prohibition on use of all intoxicating items should be the priority of the government, he maintained, while ridiculing the government's contention the legalising liquor will help the people have access to good quality liquor.
The government should explicitly explain definition of 'good liquor' to the people, the secretary demanded.
Reacting to the government's assertion that lifting the prohibition is aimed at increasing revenue collection, he questioned how the revenue of the state can be im proved when the government is destroying all the potential sources for enhancing revenue.
"Will the revenue be increased only when liquors are legalised?" he asked, while terming as regretful that the government is feigning ignorance about the harmful effects of liquor consumption in the society.
It is a big question on how the government will tackle the issue of alcoholism in the society after legalisation when it could not even deal with the issue during the 30 years of prohibition.
Regarding the statement of the government to restrict sale of locally produced liquor after legalisation, he asked how it is going to be possible when IMFL marked with 'only for defence personnel' are available in every nook and corner of the state despite the restrictions.
In order to produce quality local liquors local rice is needed and the state is depending on highly subsidised rice variety due to low production in the state.
If the local rice are used for the production of quality local liquor, there is possibility of a civil war in the state due to acute shortage of food grains, he cautioned.
On the other hand, it is considered that liquor is also a part of drug in the state drug policy initiated by the government.
As such, legalising sale of liquor in the state contradicts the same policy.
CADA had already demanded to produce a white paper regarding legalising of alcohol in the state and also called for a public debate.
In addition to it, they also demanded to produce the report of the recent visit by a ministerial team to Goa to get a first-hand account of liquor manufacturing.
Amidst such a situation, the hasty decision taken up by the government for legalising liquor in the state will not be accepted, Geetchandra asserted, while reiterating the demand to revoke the cabinet decision of legalising liquor immediately.