Mizoram Assembly Passes Controversial Bill to Amend Prohibition Law

The Mizoram Assembly has passed a Bill to amend the state's prohibition law, despite opposition objections. The amendment allows for the manufacture and supply of local wine and beer and special permits for foreign dignitaries and tourists. Opposition parties staged a walk-out in protest.

The Mizoram Assembly took center stage on Monday as it passed a contentious Bill amending the state's existing prohibition law. Opposition members, unhappy with the proposed changes, staged a dramatic walk-out.

Introduced by the Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) government, the Bill aims to authorize the manufacture and distribution of wine and local beer made exclusively from local agricultural and horticultural products. Additionally, it seeks to permit foreign dignitaries and domestic tourists to possess and consume India-made foreign liquor through special permits.

The existing prohibition legislation, known as the Mizoram Liquor (Prohibition) Act, was implemented by the previous Mizo National Front (MNF) government in 2019. The new Bill faced opposition resistance, with MNF, BJP, and Congress legislators exiting the assembly in protest just before the Bill's approval via voice vote.

(With inputs from agencies.)