Mizoram’s main opp party pushes for liquor ban

Aizawl: The opposition Mizo National Front leaders on Wednesday submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla, urging him to revoke the Mizoram Liquor Prohibition and Control Act, 2014 that allows selling of liquors in the state.
The memorandum followed a resolution of a “national” executive meeting of the MNF yesterday said the MNF, if it comes back in power, would lift the MLPC Act. The six-point memorandum was submitted to the CM via his personal secretary Alexander V Chongthu and was signed by the MNF general secretary C Lalrammawia. The major reason behind the opening of wine shops as claimed by the Congress government was to earn revenue. The government has indeed fulfilled this objective as it has garnered a revenue of over Rs 100 crores.
However, on the flip side, much more money of the people have flowed out of the state for buying Indian made foreign liquor from the wine shops, the memorandum stated. “In simple term, we have spent ten rupees in order to get five rupees, which is a ridiculous economic measure,” it added. Secondly, contrary to the government’s promise to limit the selling of liquor, it is going the opposite. Whereas only the 1st Bn Mizoram Armed Police has a license to sell liquor among the forces, liquor shop is opened in all the police battalion headquarters, including the home guards. (UNI)