Guwahati: The Manipur cabinet has greenlit the establishment of the Manipur State Beverages Corporation Limited (MSBCL), signaling a significant shift in the state’s alcohol policies. This decision, made during the cabinet meeting held on Friday, will legalise the production, sale, and consumption of alcohol in specific regions of the state, marking the end of over three decades of prohibition of alcohol in Manipur.


Under the purview of the Manipur Finance Minister, the MSBCL will operate with a board of directors comprising key secretaries responsible for diverse sectors like finance, home affairs, health, education, rural development, and municipal governance. This comprehensive oversight aims to ensure a well-rounded approach to alcohol regulation, considering various facets of public health and socio-economic welfare, the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Manipur, said in a press release on Saturday.


Initially focusing on the retail sale of beverages, the corporation is slated to expand its scope to monitor the entire production and distribution chain, encompassing the manufacture, possession, purchase, sale, consumption, import-export, and transportation of beverages. Notably, the MSBCL will also oversee the standardisation and licensing for the production and sale of local liquor or Distilled Indigenous Country (DIC) liquor, prioritising quality control and legal compliance, the DIPR release said.


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To regulate alcohol consumption responsibly, the Manipur cabinet has set the minimum age for production, management of shops, sale, and consumption at 25 years, significantly higher than the previous minimum age of 18 years. Moreover, strict guidelines prohibit the sale and consumption of alcohol within a 100-meter radius of educational institutions, hospitals, and places of worship. Additionally, the sale of alcohol has been barred within 500 meters of the national highways, except in areas under the local municipal governance, the release said.


The decision to lift the prohibition came through a gazette notification issued on December 6 this year, lifting the ban from Greater Imphal, the district headquarters, tourist destinations, and registered hotels with a minimum of 20 rooms. This decision follows Manipur’s designation as a ‘dry state’ in 1991, albeit with exemptions for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities for traditional liquor brewing, it said.


In alignment with the state government’s rationale, the move intends to address health concerns arising from unregulated liquor while projecting an expected annual revenue of over Rs 600 crore through regulated sales. However, criticisms from Manipur-based civil society groups like the Coalition Against Drugs and Alcohol (CADA) have raised concerns about potential adverse health effects and exclusive benefits for certain stakeholders, the DIPR release added.


Amidst these debates, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh previously announced the formation of an expert committee to thoroughly examine and report on the matter, underlining the government’s commitment to informed decision-making. The recent cabinet meeting also reviewed and revised excise duty and value-added tax (VAT), signaling a comprehensive re-evaluation of taxation policies to align with the new regulatory framework. A substantial portion of the revenue collected from beverage sales and VAT will be allocated towards public health and welfare measures, highlighting a concerted effort towards societal well-being, it said.


The DIPR release further said that Manipur’s stride towards regulated alcohol sales, backed by stringent guidelines and revenue allocation for public welfare, signifies a balanced approach aimed at fostering economic growth while prioritising community welfare and responsible consumption.


The writer is a senior independent journalist covering the Northeast.


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