Govt desperate to reopen IMFL sale outlets
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: August 03, 2022 -

FROM toying with the idea of whether or not to allow production and export of local liquor in a cabinet meeting held some years back to presently exploring possibility of permitting sale of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), the government of Manipur seems to be in dire need to generate healthy revenue without which implementation of all the developmental and welfare projects would be an uphill task.

Both the objectives are primarily driven by the growing need to collect more revenue for the debt-ridden state exchequer but evoking positive response from the stakeholders concerned and consensus on the proposed government policy can't be guaranteed.

As the first proposition for production and export of locally-brewed liquor had been flatly rejected, it would be nothing less than miraculous if the reported discussions initiated by the government to pave the way for lifting of the official prohibition on sale of IMFL, imposed since 1990, reach a consensus.

Similar to the fierce and outright objections raised by different organisations against the government's move to legalise sale or consumption of liquor, anti-drugs and anti-alcohol campaigners are certain to criticise the present regime for nurturing the plan to increase revenue generation through sale of liquor, especially in the backdrop of widespread liquor consumption posing serious threat to health of the people.

As such, it could be safely stated that the debate over continuing with the prohibition or lifting will continue to rage as in the past and civil societies vehemently against legalising sale and consumption of liquor would construe the establishment as administratively incompetent to address the recurring financial deficits.

For the record, in July 2014, then chief minister Okram Ibobi stated in an assembly session that the government was looking at the option of lifting prohibition in the state.

Along with opining that the country liquor produced in Manipur could be sold in other states, he sought the support of political parties to implement the proposed plan with his suggestion endorsed by then opposition member Th Shyamkumar on the ground that easy availability and widespread consumption of local liquor as well as IMFL had been making a mockery of Manipur's status as dry state.

In-spite of general consensus among the then ruling and opposition members, who shared the view of doing away with the ban on liquor and to encourage production of quality country liquor for export to strengthen the state's economy, the proposal not only had to be shelved but also drew scathing criticisms from various organisations.

Manipur became a dry state in the backdrop of intense anti-liquor campaigns by various civil bodies and women vigilantes, as they believed that ban on sale and consumption of alcohol would help curb social evils like domestic violence resulting from alcoholism and increasing lack of work culture among the users.

However, there is another school of thought that blanket ban on alcohol may not be a good idea considering the current trend of life-styles and proposing that instead of total ban, the government should focus on making the people aware of impact of excessive liquor consumption.

Considering the complexity of the issue, the incumbent government shall have to consult with every concerned stakeholder and convince them that the revenue so generated could be put to good use.