Panel discusses liquor-related issues

NONGPOH: The State Level Public Grievances Committee (SLPGC) under the leadership of MLA and chairman of SLPGC Pongseng R Marak on Monday visited Nongpoh and held a meeting with wine shop owners and bottling plants owners situated in Ri Bhoi District at Circuit House Nongpoh.
Other dignitaries included ex-MLA Remington Pyngrope; ex-MDC CB Syiem; Vice Chairmen of SLPGC N Nongkhlaw, A Sangma, SP Thapa; MCS, ADC DP Kharsati; MCS, ADC D Phawa; Superintendent of Excise P Kharbudon; Inspectors of Excise among others.
More than 60 wine shop owners operating in the district and seven bottling plants owners attended the meeting.
The SLPGC chairman, during the meeting, highlighted on the complaints received related to liquor selling on Sundays which is forbidden, and also trading of liquor by wine stores to restaurants for resale to consumers.
Marak directed the wine shop owners to not sell liquor on Sundays.
He also directed the wine stores to remain closed on Sundays adding that the wine stores are not allowed to supply liquors to restaurants or bar for resale without necessary documents.
The SLPGC, during the meeting with the bottling plants owners, held discussions related to the production of liquors, reduction in foreign liquors import in the state, and issuing of labour license to all labourers.
The committee also discussed the hurdles faced by the wine stores located at the Assam-Meghalaya border and also the MRP rate in the state.
The committee also informed of conducting inspection in all the wine shops in the district.