Decision to legalise liquor taken to save future generations: CM
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, September 23 2022: Maintaining that Manipur is marching ahead in every field of development and no one can deny it, Chief Minister N Biren Singh has stated that with access to advanced technology, we can now see what is happening in different parts of the world and as such, we should put all efforts to put up Manipur in the world platform.

The CM was addressing the launch programme of the 1st Batch Trainees of the State Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition (SIMM), Manipur and Interaction of Chief Minister, Manipur through video conferencing with trainees of "Industry Link Training Programme of 2000 Trainees for ITES", held at City Convention Centre here on Friday.

The programme was jointly organised by Department of Tourism and Department of Information & Technology.

Continuing his speech, CM Biren said that the Manipur's future lies in the tourism sector and as such the state government has been making every effort to bring positive change in the state.

Mentioning that the state's scenic beauty, its climate and hospitality of people are praised by many tourists; he said that the state government has started developing many tourist spots including Sangai Ethnic Park at Moirang Khunou, Loktak Lake, INA Memorial, Heritage site at Mao and the 120 feet tall Sagol Kangjei statue at Marjing.

Apprising the idea of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to let the world know what we are, Biren stressed the need to promote our own culture and traditions.

He said that the employees at the Secretariat continue to work late into the night so to bring huge changes in the state within a short period of time.

Speaking on the recent lifting of prohibition on sale and consumption of liquor from the state, Biren stated that the Cabinet decision was taken after holding thorough discussion and taking recommendation from committees and sub-committees formed earlier in this regard.

He elaborated that some communities have been producing local liquor as part of their custom and thus, the government had not been able to effectively ban the production, which indirectly posed as part of the liquor issue in the state.

Therefore, a team from outside the state had been engaged to check the process of the production in such places, namely Andro, Phayeng and Sekmai and to bring it up to a certain level of standard so that the liquor could be exported outside Manipur, without compromising on health and safety.

Further informing that the task for testing and selling of foreign liquors would be assigned to a government-controlled corporate instead of the private sector, the CM said that the legalisation of alcohol is not just in the interest of earning more revenue for the state but mainly to ensure good health of the people and prevent occurrence of any harmful effects in the society.

The legalisation will help determine the good and the bad alcohol, he stated, while adding that the government has been taking steps for ensuring good health of its citizens including opening of open gyms.

The CM further stated that the government is planning to establish a beer factory in the state using locally produced raw ingredients like pineapple, orange and ginger.

This in turn could help prevent poppy plantations in the state by providing the nearby farmers with a source of income.

He continued that as people from outside the state are becoming fond of our horticultural products, our local brews could be exported outside.

This would also encourage those people who earlier carried out poppy plantations to replace it with alternative crops like pineapple and ginger, he said, while informing that there would be certain regulations on sale of liquor regarding place of sale, age, time, etc.

Expressing that the state government has taken up the step not only for earning revenue but also considering the health of people, he informed that the government is drafting a rule in this regard and sought suggestions from civil society organisations, university experts and local clubs.

There are police and law enforcement agencies to deal with crimes and mete out befitting punishments, he contended.

Terming the statements made by a panellist during a discussion programme on a TV Channel that "those lifting the alcohol prohibition won the elections with the votes of drunk electorates" as defamatory; CM Biren stated that although Article 19 (a) allows freedom of speech, it is wise to remember the presence Article 19 (b) .

Additionally, the Supreme Court had recently made it clear how TV anchors are supposed to proceed or act in certain situations.

Thus, it would be best to interview successful people and help them tell their stories to the masses so as to give encouragement to the people, he suggested.

Meanwhile, condemning the deliberate observance of PM Narendra Modi's birthday as Unemployment Day, the CM stated that lakhs of people have been directly or indirectly employed over the last 5 years.

A mistake made in 2016, which destroyed the lives of many young people, is still being fought in the court and this should be remembered by all concerned.

Thus, one must speak carefully and avoid making erroneous decisions intentionally.

The ruling government has provided job opportunities to many unemployed youth and women, including promoting the handloom sector and women self help groups.

All those speaking on social media need to take a step back and analyse the facts before posting whatever they feel like, he said.

Biren further expressed happiness on learning that staff appointed for functioning of the SIHM are from the state itself and that students from different parts of the state are pursuing the course.

He said that the students of SIHM will act as guides for foreign tourists during this year's Sangai Festival from November 21 to 30.He then wished all the students success in their future endeavours and appealed to the youth to work for the service of the state, adding that the future of Manipur lies with the youth.

In his speech, Tourism Corporation of Manipur Ltd chairman Karam Shyam stated that youth should take a bigger role in taking the State towards development.

He said that the tourism sector holds a crucial stake in development and as such, urged the youth to showcase beautiful places of the state, harnessing the advanced technology.

Mentioning that improved law and order is important for development of the tourism sector in the state, Karam Shyam said that Manipur Tourism will take a key role in shaping the youth of the state.

He also appealed to the public to share only valuable knowledge and information about the state to attract more tourists.

Delivering the keynote address, chief secretary Dr Rajesh Kumar said that the day is historic in the state so far as skilling and employment is concerned, as the two important sectors, namely, Tourism and Information Technology have come together in the programme.

This shows that the state is serious about harnessing the potentials of skill, IT manpower and people in hospitality industries, he added.

He continued that the SIHM has 60 seats for degree courses and can go up to 240 students for diploma course per year.

The institute will give the much-needed platform for getting good job opportunities, he assured.

Expressing hope that the institute would provide trained manpower for the domestic tourism industry in the state, the CS informed that the state government is taking up an ambitious ADB funded Loktak Mega Eco-Tourism Project, which would most likely be sanctioned by May next year.

With this, Manipur will have a world class eco-tourism destination, he conveyed.

During the programme, a video on SIHM and a testimonial video of ITES students sponsored by the Department of Information & Technology were shown.

Later, the CM distributed study materials to SIHM students, followed by a virtual interaction with ITES students in Jaipur and Guwahati.

Health minister Dr Sapam Ranjan, Education minister Thounaojam Basanta Kumar, Transport Minister Khashim Vashum, Manipur Tourism commissioner Pradeep Kumar Jha, IT Department special secretary B John Tlangtinkhuma, administrative secretaries, officials of Department of Tourism and Department of Information & Technology, students and staff of SIHM also attended the programme among others.

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