IMPHAL, June 14: During the discussion of a demand of the Manipur Excise Department tabled by the leader of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh who also holds the Finance portfolio for discussion and several MLAs from the opposition bench today observed that the prohibition act is as good as non-existent and it would be better to lift the prohibition and garner more income for the government.
Placing his observation before the House, MLA, P Brojen Singh said that even though the state is is said to be a “dry state” and a prohibition act has been enforced, there is not a single street in his constituency where liquor is not sold.
He further observed, “Look at the faces of the 60 year olds in the state”.
“Due to the various ill effects of drinking alcohol, and alcohol related ailment, hospitals have today become the biggest industry”, he observed in the House.
“Liqour is banned by the underground outfits, mothers of the society and the government; however without any benefits”, he said.
“And as such instead of the ban, the government should allow hygienic and standard distillation of liquor and exported outside the state which will garner more income also”, he said.
MLAs L Ibomcha Singh, Kh Joykishan Singh, Th Shyamkumar Singh also observed that there is no prohibition in the intake of alcohol for medicinal purposes and religious rituals and there are people who are taking advantage of such a situation.
They observed that if total prohibition Act is to be properly imposed, then there is no need for the Excise Department. UGs along with social and civil groups like AMADA and CADA have also prohibited alcohol, they said.
The MLAs also observed that the government should abolish the department or absorb it into other departments.
However, after listening to all the observations from the MLAs, the Chief Minister said, the government had already attempted to select staff of the Excise department and transfer them with the Relief & Disaster Management and the cabinet had already tried to take a cabinet decision on the issue, however it was all discarded after the staff of the department rejected the ideas.
He further expressed that the issue is not simple and the matter taken before the people by organizing seminars on the issue. A decision should be taken only after it is first introduced before the public, he said.