Post a ban of over three decades, the Manipur government has legalised the sale and consumption of liquor in the state. According to an official, liquor can now be sold and consumed in greater Imphal, district headquarters, tourist locations, and registered hotel establishments with not less than 20 lodging rooms.
A gazette notification on December said, “In exercise of the powers conferred under proviso to sub section (2) of section 1 of Manipur Liquor Prohibition Act 1991 (Manipur Act No. 4 of 1991), the governor of Manipur hereby withdraws the said Act from the areas of the state of Manipur.”
Manipur adopted the status of a dry state in 1991 after the Manipur Liquor Prohibition Act came into force. Liquor sale is estimated to help the state generate a revenue of at least ₹ 600 crore annually,an official remarked.
The decision to withdraw the liquor ban was taken during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister N Biren Singh on December 4.
PTI
