The Manipur government’s claim that liquor can be manufactured so that it can be sold only outside the state and will not be available in local markets is baseless, and it must not take up any steps to legalise liquor, stated Coalition against Drugs and Alcohol (CADA) on Saturday.
Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) imprinted with the words ‘Defence Personnel Only’ are available in every nook and corner of the state, stated a release. Therefore, the state government’s claim to sell liquor only outside the state is not a workable plan, it added.
If the state is serious on developing its economy, it should consider the fact that Manipur is a Biodiversity hotspot, it stated. More than 1,000 medicinal plants are grown in the state, it further stated while adding the state economy can be improved by selling these medicinal plants outside the state.
On the other hand, the state government’s plan to grow barley for the sake of producing liquor is not a well calculated plan, CADA stated. The areas where they plan to grow barley are mostly utilised for paddy farming and growing of vegetables by the poor people who are struggling to make ends meet. Some self styled entrepreneurs are misguiding the state government and it will lead the future generations to ruins, it added.
