A substantial change in Mizoram's prohibition policy is about to happen as the Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) government will bring a Bill to the assembly on Wednesday. The Bill proposes to permit the sale of wine and beer produced from fruits and rice grown in the state, an official asserted.

But Chief Minister Lalduhoma has made it clear that the state ban on hard liquor sale and consumption under the current Mizoram Liquor (Prohibition) Act, 2019, will continue. The Act was enacted by the earlier Mizo National Front (MNF) government.

Excise and Narcotics Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar will table the Bill, which intends to legalise the sale, distribution, and production of locally distilled alcoholic drinks. The legislation would authorise licensed retailers to sell wine and traditional beer prepared only from fruits and rice grown in Mizoram. The Bill also aims to permit the sale of undistilled country liquor and Mizo traditional alcoholic drinks produced using rice grain.

Following the introduction of the state's budget for the year 2025-26 in the assembly, Lalduhoma restated that the government would never allow the sale of hard liquor outlets but would emphasize regulating locally brewed wine and beer production and sales.

The head minister assured that churches have been consulted on this matter and have agreed to the government's decision. The ZPM government had previously stated in March last year that it would review the ban law, acknowledging objections from different sections of society.

Despite ongoing debates about lifting the prohibition due to the state’s limited revenue sources and alcohol-related deaths, Lalduhoma made it clear that his government would not entertain requests for opening liquor shops.

A long history of prohibition

Mizoram's long history of alcohol prohibition has mostly been the result of the influence of the dominant churches and community groups which have made a sustained appeal for total prohibition of liquor. Although the state had a partial prohibition, it had briefly permitted wine shops to function under the Mizoram Excise Act of 1973. However, these shops were closed in 1987.

The Mizoram Liquor Total Prohibition Act of 1995 made the state liquor-free from February 20, 1997. A new law allowed wine shops to be opened in January 2015, but the MNF government, after coming to power, reversed the policy and reinstated prohibition in 2019.

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