KOHIMA, MARCH 29 (MExN): The State government is contemplating to amend the controversial Prohibition Act, for which the government has constituted an Assembly Committee to examine the feasibility, as relaxation, even partial as recommended by the assembly committee, could be not implemented due to the stiff opposition from the churches. This was disclosed by Excise Minister Dr TM Lotha on the floor of the house today.
Dr TM Lotha said that the State government has failed to enforce the Act in totality due to lack of man power in the excise department to man the porous Assam-Nagaland border from where IMFL is flowing in.
State Chief Minister also admitted that the Act has become a dead letter; however, it could not be done away with as the churches were against its revocation. He said that the State government has high respect for NBCC and will not go against the wish of the latter, however, opined that a committee will be set comprising of NBCC, students, women and civil societies representatives. Rio also said that the state government can stop liquor inflow, however, the government has no law to stop individual from drinking. “When there is demand, there will be always supply”, Rio added.
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