IMPHAL: The  Manipur state government released the draught Manipur Liquor Regulation Policy, even as demonstrations over the cabinet's decision to partially abolish the state's prohibition continued.

The draught strategy released on Tuesday night claimed it was attempting to solve the issue of the black market for alcohol caused by prohibition and the threat of illegal narcotics while also generating employment and increasing state revenue.

The policy aims to outlaw the distillation, transportation, possession, consumption, and sale of illicit alcohol and place restrictions on both the availability of domestic alcohol and foreign alcohol created in India (IMFL).
It  also aims to lessen "the demand for intoxicating beverages" as well as "the impact of unlawful and tainted liquor on health."

The draught said, it would be illegal to manufacture and sell regional beer or country booze without an FSSAI certification. It was stated that cooperative groups will support local brew production.

The policy's goal is to limit access to alcohol in the state; as a result, it was claimed, alcohol would not be sold or served to anyone younger than 25.

According to the draught, only establishments that have been granted a government licence and are run either by a government agency or the licence holder may sell alcohol.

Dry days would be enforced at least once per week, on federal, state, and local holidays, and on any other day determined by the government, it said. It said that efforts would be made to promote the production of beer and wine using fruits and resources that are readily available locally as well as to pursue applications for the GI (Geographical Indication) tag.

It said that a specific portion of the income might be set aside for initiatives aimed at creating jobs and helping women and young people in the state. In an effort to raise public understanding of the negative consequences of alcohol, the draught said that the government would offer assistance to organisations promoting such awareness.

It also announced the establishment of rehabilitation centres.

On September 20, Chief Minister N Biren Singh's cabinet resolved to partially abolish the prohibition on the production, consumption, and sale of alcoholic beverages. All district headquarters, including Imphal city, tourism hotspots, hotels with at least 20 beds available for lodging, and security force camps will be exempt from the ban.

According to the government, there will be at least Rs 600 crore in annual revenue from the partial removal of the prohibition.

The government's decision has been criticised by a number of women's organisations, with Nupi Samaj vowing to launch an agitation on October 11 if it is not reversed. The draught would be released to get feedback from the people and social organisations in the state, the chief minister had earlier said.

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