CADA questions merits of lifting prohibition
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 18 2022:
Asking the State Government to furnish a comprehensive white paper on the benefits of legalising liquor, Coalition Against Drugs and Alcohol (CADA) president Hijam Priyokumar has said that they will not put a ban on initiatives which have sound views and can be put to good use.
He made the statement during the 16th foundation day observation of CADA at Palace Compound.
During the observance, members of CADA observed silence for two minutes in honour of its deceased colleagues, after which floral tributes were paid to the photos of its founder members and advisor Joychandra Nongmaithem.
At the observance, Hijam Priyokumar continued that the members of the State Assembly discussed in detail about the legalisation of liquor during the recent monsoon session though not much was discussed about development.
Claiming that the Government thinks only about the revenue which can be collected from liquor, if legalised, the CADA president contended that there is no commitment on the part of the State Government to prohibit the sale and brewing of liquor.
"If the Government is committed to ban liquor then they must strengthen the Excise Department," he added.
Claiming that it is mainly CADA and Meira Paibis which have been checking the sale of liquor in the State, he maintained that the Manipur Liquor Prohibition Act which was passed in 1991 following a strong movement by the mothers of the State has also not been amended to adapt to the contemporary society.
It is also a misconception that drinking one or two pegs of liquor is beneficial to health as no paper on it has been published by the World Health Organisation till date, he claimed.
Claiming that there are no health benefits of drinking alcohol at all, Priyokumar appealed to the Government and the people to contribute in making Manipur a healthy and liquor-free society.
Nupi Samaj president Thokchom Ramani, 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 also attended the programme.