Cabinet approves MSBC Ltd, special court
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, December 15 2023: After legalising manufacture, sale and consumption of liquor, the state cabinet on Friday gave the approval for the establishment of Manipur State Beverages Corporation Limited (MSBC Ltd) and establishment of one special court (NIA & CBI) for dealing NIA and CBI cases.

The state cabinet meeting held from 1pm with chief minister N Biren Singh in the chair also decided that the finance minister will be the ex-officio chairman of MSBC Ltd while secretaries holding finance, home, health & family welfare, RD & PR, education and MAHUD departments will be the board of directors.

The newly established MSBC Ltd will take up retail sales activities and open advertisement will be done for selection of bonded warehouse operators.

For consultation on all these arrangements, the cabinet also approved hiring of private firm, Ougri Consultants Private Limited.

Apart from approving establishment of MSBC Ltd, the cabinet also revised excise duty and VAT rate on alcoholic liquor for human consumption.

Accordingly, the excise duty slab on Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) will be between Rs 600 to Rs 6,000 per 12 bottles while VAT rate from general public will be increased from 20 percent to 35 percent.

VAT rate for military and other relaxed sections will also be increased to 20 percent from the earlier 12 percent.

According to a reliable source, 30 percent of the revenue generated from sales of liquor as well as 30 percent of VAT charged from liquor will be utilised for public health and welfare programmes and measures.

Standardisation of Distilled Illicit Country (DIC) liquor will take time but MSBC Ltd will take up further necessary steps and issuance of license processed up after detailed discussion.

Age limit for liquor purchase and consumption too will be increased from 18 years to 25.Licence holders must open liquor shops beyond 100 metres from educational institutions and worship places and beyond 500 metres from highways.

The state cabinet also discussed other agendas of different departments and decided to form an administrative committee to look into affairs of Panchayats and allow ex-representatives to function till issuance of notifications for Panchayat elections.

The cabinet also approved engagement of five different categories of posts in Manipur Film Development Society on contract arrangement.

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