IMPHAL, December 20: Taking the opportunity of the Discussion on a matter of Public Interest during the last day of the 3rd session of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly, Andro MLA from the Trinamool Congress Th Shyamkumar appealed before the House to control the illegal sale of foreign liquor and alcohol in the state.
He said IRB personnel are selling foreign liquor inside the sacred Kangla fort and in order to confirm the sale, he had himself bought liquor from inside the Kangla and even took pictures.
He continued that foreign liquor are sold in the canteens of 1st MR, 2nd MR and though the liquors are meant for the security forces, it is being sold to the general public to earn profit.
He continued that it is hard to confirm the whereabouts of the manufacturers of such foreign liquors.
He said this has affected the health of many people of the state and said instead of allowing sale of such foreign liquor it would be better if the local wine distilled at Andro, Sekmai and Phayeng are provided under a licence system and the quality controlled and exported for revenue.
He continued that the claims of the Excise department regarding destroying of sized liquor in the state are all dramas and in fact it is like the department does not exist at all.
Participating in the MLA’s discussion, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh said he has no idea that foreign liquor is sold inside the Kangla, but since it has been pointed out he will look into the issue and see if the Arts and Culture dept had allowed the sale.
Continuing further, the Chief Minister said that the Manipur Assembly had passed the Total Prohibition Act in 1991, however medicinal use, customary use and by security personnel were exempted from the act.
He said the government had also considered the option of allowing distillation of local wine under a licence system; however the public seem to be against it.
In answer to the MLA’s take on the non-existence of Excise department statement, the CM said the excise department had a revenue turnover of Rs 63025215.