Morung Express News
Kohima | March 27
Nagaland Advisor for Food & Civil Supplies, KT Sukhalu underscored the urgent need for an open and honest reassessment of the NLTP Act, which has been a failure in the state, keeping in mind the larger benefit to the public.
Participating in the budget discussion on March 27, he suggested lifting of the prohibition pointing out that despite prohibition, liquor remains easily accessible across the state, often in spurious and adulterated forms posing greater risks to public health and safety.
Observing the growing challenge of drug abuse, Sukhalu warned that Nagaland’s proximity to Myanmar, currently one of the world’s largest producers of illicit opium according to the United Nation Office on Drugs and Crime report 2025 makes the state particularly vulnerable.
While appreciating the efforts of law enforcement agencies in apprehending drug peddlers and illicit liquor outlets throughout the state, he asserted, “If we do not take policy-level decision, all their efforts are like using a band-aid to close a bullet hole. Drugs are insidious.”
“One cannot smell or visibly identify a drug user until it’s too late. Even one life lost to drugs is one too many,” he said, urging policymakers to address the issue headfirst and take all proactive measures to prevent drugs from spreading in the state.
Sukhalu reiterated that the debate on the NLTP Act must go beyond rhetoric. He called for a balanced, evidence-based policy that addresses both public health concerns and ground realities, stating that the time had come for the state to confront the issue with clarity and courage.
Citing growing societal concerns, Sukhalu referred to the statement by the Catholic Association of Nagaland (CAN), which questioned the effectiveness of prohibition, and argued that the issue falls within the domain of government policy rather than religious institutions.
“It's high time that we have an open and frank discussion on the need to review the Act. It is not a simple decision. We should not look at it only in revenue terms, but also the welfare of the citizens” stated Sukhalu adding that the current form of Act and rules not only restrict the citizens’ freedom of choice but it allows the state government no possibility on regulating the sale of spurious and adulterated alcohol that it makes people suffer us all here.
At the same time, the MLA commended the state government’s overall fiscal roadmap despite challenges arising from the discontinuation of post-devolution revenue deficit grants. Expressing confidence in the leadership of the Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio, he said the ongoing engagements with the Union Finance Ministry were likely to yield positive outcomes.
Addressing fiscal discipline, Sukhalu also raised concerns over rising revenue expenditure, particularly on salaries, attributing it partly to past irregular appointments made without following procedures and without any sanctioned posts.
To this end, he suggested that “if such cases are practiced by any officers or officials, stern action should be taken against such officials.” He also pointed out that the state as a welfare provider cannot sustain the delivery of essential services when non-payment of service charges such as power, water, etc. imposes an unsustainable fiscal burden on the state.
In this regard, he suggested that awareness campaigns be conducted in collaboration with civil society organisations, tribal bodies, student groups, and churches to promote a sense of shared responsibility.
“As a government, I feel that it is our responsibility to reduce dependence on borrowing and reduce fiscal deficit by persuading the Ministry for early oil exploration and reviving the unsuccessful prohibition act. With proper regulation, we must exercise all the means available to us to be financially self-sustainable and independent in the interest of the people of Nagaland” stated Sukhalu.
