A bird’s-eye view of Zunheboto Town as seen from Sumi Baptist Church, Zunheboto. (Morung Photo)
Relaxed enforcement on grounds of livelihood
Morung Express News
Zunheboto | June 18
The Excise & Prohibition Department allegedly collects payment from illicit liquor vendors under the pretext of “revenue” in Zunheboto. As collated from reliable sources, each illicit liquor vendor in Zunheboto town is required to shell out Rs 1500, alongwith a complimentary bottle of the celebrated McDowell’s rum, per month.
The town is said to have an estimated 60 to 70 liquor outlets fronting as legitimate businesses, implying a collection of atleast Rs 90,000 a month or Rs 10,80,000 a year.
As told by the sources, the payment process follows a routine. The department officials has a tradition of making the “collections” during a particular period every month— between day 6th and 10th. The officials leave no receipt or paper trail. If the illicit vendors fail to make the payment on the appointed period, the sources claimed that they are called to the office.
On the otherside, the Prohibition enforcement personnel cited community attachment or affinity coming in the way of enforcement of the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, 1989.
They further claimed that the liquor runners appeal for leniency, when they try clamp down, citing it was their only means to livelihood. According to them, they are compelled to concede to the requests for leniency on “humanitarian grounds.”
As a compromise, the enforcement personnel capped the collection at Rs 1500 and one bottle of rum a month per vendor. They explained it was not a tax per se, but a penalty so as to not accord legitimacy to the illicit liquor trade.
On the question of how the collected money is utilised by the department, the enforcement personnel said that it is spend in a myriad of ways, including but not limited to covering fuel expenses, payment to informers and remitting to the higher ups, reportedly, via bank transfer. No paper record of the spending are maintained, allegedly.
They further claimed that no vehicles are provided by the department for enforcement duties and they are compelled to rent vehicles for field duties.
The Prohibition enforcement team for Zunheboto town reportedly comprises of 9 personnel. A shortage of personnel was cited as one of the main reasons for not taking a more stringent action against NLTP offenders.
Meanwhile, the liquor runners acknowledged they are aware of the Prohibition law, but overcoming financial hardship compels them to take to the trade.
