Imphal (Manipur): The Manipur government has withdrawn the Manipur Liquor Prohibition Act in favour of its expected growth of economy making the state wet again after 1991.

The move comes despite the strong campaign by various civil society organizations and people of the state against Alcohol and Drugs and demand to the government to tighten the Act.

On Wednesday, the 6th December, the Finance Department (Expenditure Section) Government of Manipur issued an extraordinary gazette notification withdrawing the Manipur Liquor Prohibition Act, 1991 from the state.

The notification issued by Deputy Secretary(Finance) Th. Bedajit said “In exercise of the powers conferred under the proviso to sub section(2) of Section 1 of the 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.

However, the notification said that the withdrawal is based on schedule areas, where it mentions that the Liquor Prohibition Act 1991(production, sale and consumption of liquor will be allowed) is withdrawn from Greater Imphal Areas, District Headquarters, Tourist Locations in the state and Registered hotel establishment with not less than 20 lodging rooms.

It further said that the notification shall come into force with effect from the date of its publication in the official gazette of Manipur.

The gazette notification was issued three days after the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh convened on Monday at CM Secretariat in Imphal approved the production, consumption, export, import, transport , purchase and sale of liquor in the state.

The Manipur cabinet a year earlier had approved the lifting of the prohibition to boost the economy and to check the health hazards caused by spurious alcohol in the state.

Meanwhile, the Janata Dal United Manipur State also condemned the state government for withdrawing the Liquor Prohibition Act and legalizing liquor and said “the move taken by the state government is against the will of the people”.

During a press conference held at the party office in Imphal, the state party president Ksh Biren said that the party has always opposed the production, sale and consumption of liquor in the state and will continue to do so.

He further said that Meira Paibis and CSOs in the state for years have been campaigning and trying to rescue the youths from the jaws of alcohol and drugs. However,  the state government has made all years of hard work fruitless and JDU Manipur State will continue to join forces against the government's move.

The All Manipur Women’s Social reformation & Development Samaj and Coalition Against Drugs and Alcohol had condemned the state cabinet’s decision to legalize liquor in Manipur. Both the organizations have slammed the government for approving legalization of liquor instead of solving the prevailing Manipur crisis.