EC asks Mizoram govt not to notify liquor prohibition Act now

The Election Commission Thursday instructed the Mizoram government not to notify the Act imposing total prohibition of liquor in the state till the Lok Sabha election process is over.

The Mizoram Liquor (Prohibition) Act, 2019, would bring back total prohibition of liquor in the northeastern state after four years, and the government had planned to impose it from April 1.

Mizoram Additional Chief Electoral Officer Krishna Mohan Uppu forwarded the EC's letter in this regard to the Commissioner and Secretary of the state excise and narcotics department.

The letter asked the government not to notify the Act till the poll process is officially over on May 27.

The Mizo National Front (MNF) government decided to prohibit manufacture, import, sale and consumption of liquor for the common people and the Mizoram Liquor (Prohibition) Bill, 2019 was passed in the assembly on March 20.

The governor also gave his nod to the bill.

State Excise and Narcotics Minister Dr K Beichhua had announced that the new Act would be notified and in force from April one.

The MNF had promised during the assembly election in November last year that if voted to power, it would ensure total prohibition in the state.

Total prohibition was in force in Mizoram from 1997 to 2015. The previous Congress government led by Lal Thanhawla allowed opening of wine shops in the state from March, 2015.