Govt moots legalisation of ganja plantation
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 21 2020: Chief Minister N Biren today informed the Assembly that the State Government has been considering legalisation of ganja plantation at some selected places for industrial and medicinal purposes under protection.

The Chief Minister made this statement on the floor of the House is response to a query raised by Kh Joykisan whether the Government was considering legalisation of ganja and if any action has been initiated against poppy cultivators.

Biren said that following use of ganja for industrial and medicinal purposes in some States of India, a workshop participated by ICAR scientists and others from outside the State discussed legalisation of ganja but no final decision has been adopted yet.

Govt moots legalisation of ganja plantation

The discussion was about legalisation of ganja plantation for medicinal purposes while restricting its use as an intoxicant.

As ganja is quite suitable to the soil of Manipur, the State would be able to earn substantial income if ganja plantation can be done lawfully, Biren said.

The Government has been considering plantation of ganja at some selected places under protection in the initial phase but the Government will not do anything which would be harmful to the society, said the leader of the House.

Regarding poppy plantation, Biren said that illegal plantations which covered 1952 acres in different parts of Kangpokpi, Ukhrul, Senapati, Chandel, Kakching, Thoubal and Churachandpur districts have been destroyed.

In connection with destruction of poppy plantations, police and other agencies have registered 32 cases from September last year till the current month.

Generally, poppy is planted far away from villages at remote corners of hill areas.

The cultivators go to these remote places at the time of sowing and come back again when the poppy plants are ready for harvesting.

As such, NAB and other agencies find it hard to nail the poppy cultivators, Biren said.

As the State Government is not very successful in controlling poppy plantation, talks have been held with most CSOs of Kangpokpi district on providing an alternative source of livelihood to the poppy cultivators, Biren said.

The CSOs have been asked to give a list of the poppy cultivators in line with the Government's new initiative which would be implemented on mission mode, said the Chief Minister.

Noting that the number of people dying from consumption of adulterated or spurious local liquor has been rising, Biren said that the Government has been examining the possibility of extending loans to liquor vendors so that they can switch to other professions or trades.

Earlier, Joykisan opined that it would be better if ganja plantation is not legalised.

A large section of people in the State are habitual drinkers and if ganja plantation is legalised in the given situation, it would be catastrophic for the whole society, Joykisan said.

He also asked if the Government has initiated any step to completely prevent poppy plantation and manufacturing of poppy based drugs in the State.