Rio proposes sale of liquor to foreign nationals

March 28, 2023 46 Views No Comment

Morung Express News
Kohima | March 28

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio proposed that certain hotels of star category be allowed to sell liquor to foreign nationals visiting Nagaland, as permitted by the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act, 1989.

During a press conference following the Assembly session today, Rio, who is also the Minister-in-Charge of Finance, stated that while he did not plan to propose any new taxes in this budget, he recognized the pressing need for the state to mobilize more resources to meet its increasing development needs.

One area under consideration to generate revenue is the sale of liquor to foreign nationals, especially since the state will be hosting large number of foreign delegates for the G-20 Business Meet from April 4-6 in Kohima. Rio argued that serving liquor to foreign delegates and their associates is permitted under Section 16 ‘Special permits to foreign sovereign etc’ of the Act and will give a further push to tourism.

‘We are only trying to exercise of what is allowed under this provision. We will implement only what is permissible in this prohibition Act and so I hope people will not take it otherwise,’ Rio said, adding that it will not be sold openly but will be provided in the hotels they are staying.

When queried if the government is contemplating to lift the prohibition act or to regulate it, the Chief Minister said, “we are not going for any relaxation or lifting”. He also maintained that government policies are decided by the Cabinet and not individual department.

Rio noted that during an earlier consultative meeting, “some pastors were not very happy,” when he commented on the need for a practical approach on this particular issue.

“We cannot make heaven out of this earth, we have to live a humanly life and be practical,” he said, while pointing out that substandard and adulterated liquor people are consuming leading to increase in accidents and loss of lives.

Meanwhile, Rio informed that the department is working on regulating the sale of liquor and added that he wants to balance the good and bad sides of the issue. ‘Slowly we can see how we can regulate’ said Rio while declining to comment further.

NLTP Act 1989 has been a contentious issue with faith-based organisations strongly opposing to the lifting of the Act.

It may be mentioned that in response to The Morung Express poll question in March 2022, 65% of the respondents opted for total revocation while 14% called for partial revocation and 17% chose ‘others.’ Accordingly over 81% of the respondents favoured lifting of the Act, either totally or partially, while most opting for ‘others’ also suggested for doing away with prohibition.