Select Committee takes stock of liquor brewing activities
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 27 2021: A team of Select Committee of the Manipur Legislative Assembly which has been assigned to look into the Manipur Liquor Prohibition (Second Amendment) Bill 2018, today inspected traditional liquor brewing activities at Sekmai and Phayeng.

The team which took stock of the liquor brewing units were led by the select committee's chairman and Deputy Chief Minister, Y Joykumar.

Other members of the select committee, K Meghachandra; Md Fajur Rahim, H Dingo and other officials were also part of the team.

It may be noted that Manipur has been a 'Dry State' with the enforcement of Manipur Liquor Prohibition Act 1999 and the Act was first amended in 2002 to allow brewing of liquor in tribal areas under their own customary law.

Later the State Government attempted to amend the Act for the second time in 2018 and Manipur Liquor Prohibition (Second Amendment) Bill 2018 was tabled in July 2018 .

The Bill which is aimed at legalising local liquor brewing in valley areas and exporting it by controlling its qualities, was however not passed but referred to a Select Committee.

The State Govt believes that it is unable to collect revenue worth Rs around 400 crore every year due to prohibition on brewing and sale of liquor in the State.

While speaking to media persons after inspecting households where brewing of local liquor is done, Select Committee's chairman, Y Joykumar said that the inspection was carried out to check whether the units are maintaining quality and adhering to hygienic aspects while brewing liquor.

Saying that the Select Committee has been seeking opinions regarding the second amendment Bill from various quarters, Y Joykumar said that the Select Committee will be holding a sitting tomorrow to discuss public opinions on the Bill and also its pros and cons.

Phayeng and Awang Sekmai have been known for brewing traditional liquor since time immemorial, he said while adding that Liquor Prohibition Act 1999 even contains provision to exempt prohibition of customary liquor brewing.

The spot inspection was conducted to form an opinion on legalising traditionally brewed liquor and feasibility of exporting it by maintaining best quality, he said.

MLA K Meghachandra also said that the inspection was being carried out to ascertain whether brewing activities are carried out in hygienic manner and qualities are maintained.

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