CADA demands debate on move to legalise liquor
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, September 18 2022:
Since the government contends that legalising alcohol is a good step, Coalition Against Drugs and Alcohol (CADA) will not object to the "good work".
However, if it wants to legalise liquor, the government must produce the exact white paper detailing the guidelines and further providing an opportunity to the people to jointly discuss the advantages/ disadvantages of the same, CADA president Hijam Priyokumar has said.
CADA observed its 16th foundation day at its office, Palace Compound, here, on Sunday.
As part of the observance, floral tributes were offered to the deceased members of the body including advisor Joychandra Nongmaithem, followed by 2-minute silence as a mark of respect to the departed souls.
Presiding over the observance, Hijam Priyokumar said that the proposal for legalising alcohol had been continuously brought up since the time of the Congress government but was rejected after detailed discussion.
CADA will not object to the government's desire to do good but it must produce a white paper on the matter to allow a detail discussion with the public, he asserted.
Stating that it was un fortunate that the recent session of the Assembly more or less focused on legalisation of liquor instead of development of the state; the CADA president remarked that the present government is not con cerned about prohibiting alcohol but on increasing the state's revenue through legalisation of alcohol.
If the state government sincerely wants to ban alcohol, it needs to strengthen the Excise Department.
Unfortunately, the department is almost non existent in the state, and that is the reason why any seizure of liquor in the state is carried out by mothers, CADA and police from time to time.
Priyokumar continued that after a prolonged protest since 1975 by the mothers against substance abuse, the Manipur Liquor Prohibition Act was en acted in 1991.However, no efforts have been made to amend this Act till date.
Drinking 1-2 glasses of alcohol does not improve anyone's health.
Even WHO has not produced any evidence stating that drinking alcohol helps the body, he said and urged the government to protect the people from the ill-effects of alcohol.
The observance was attended by Nupi Samaj president Thokchom Ramani as chief guest, while Apunba Manipur Kanba Ima lup (AMKIL) advisor Khangembam Anandi, United Committee Manipur (UCM) vice president YK Dhiren and Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) co-convenor Warepam Second were present as guests of honour.
As part of the observance, the dignitaries released the Volume 1 and 35th issue of journal, 'Health for all' .