Aizawl:With the laying of the Mizoram Liquor (Prohibition and Control) Rules 2014, the Christian-majority state of Mizoram that remained literally dry for the last 17 years, inches clo-ser to becoming wet again.
According to the rules laid by home minister R Lalzirliana, who also holds the excise & narcotics portfolio, in the state assembly yesterday, people above the 21 years of age will be able to get a licence to buy liquor from the licensed dealer.
However, a person must be free of any offences regarding sale and purchase of liquor in the past to get such licence. The quantity of liquor that a licensed drinker can get in a month is limited to six bottles(750ml x 6). In case of beer and wine, the license holder can buy ten bottles a month (650 ml x 10).
The rules also say that liquor shops should not display their items in such a way that they are visible from outside the shop.
Drunk driving will be punishable under Motor Vehicles Act 1988 and Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989. The rules will come into force once it is published in the govern-ment gazette. Mr Lalzirliana had said that the new liquor law would come into effect before the end of the current fiscal, if not before Chris-tmas.
The rules comes four months after the Mizoram Liquor (Prohibition & Control) Act 2014 was pass-ed in the state assembly on July 10 this year, despite strong opposition from the influential churches, mainly the Mizoram Pres Church.
Issue of license for establishment of distillery, brewery, bottling plant, bonded warehouse, import, export and transport of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) shall be subjected to the following Rules, conditions imposed, duties and fees prescribed by the government from time to time.(UNI)
