Advisor for Labour, Employment & Skill Development, Excise, Moatoshi Longkumer, initiated the discussion hour on Urgent Public Importance under Rule 50 A on “Health Hazards of spurious liquor” on the first day of the Fifth Session of the Fourteenth Nagaland Legislative Assembly. Pointing out the negative impacts the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, 1989 has had on the State, he maintained that the Act be revisited and regulated certain relevant acts for proper implementation and enforcement of laws.
Participating in the discussion, Minister for Tourism and Higher Education, Temjen Imna Along said that the NLTP Act 1989 which has been in force in the State for more than 30 years has only given rise to more bootleggers and the widespread prevalence of spurious liquor throughout the State ruining the health of young people. He further expressed his appreciation to the Leader of the House for enabling the house to discuss and discourse the ill effects of spurious liquor. He said that it was high time for all Nagas to come together to discuss and mitigate the actual needs and aspirations of our people and decide what is best for the state and its people.
Advisor for Food & Civil Supplies, Legal Metrology, K.T. Sukhalu joining the discussion said that 34 years is not a matter of joke and as have observed by everyone whether the NLTP Act is a success or not. He said that since from day one when NLTP Act came into force, liquors have been flowing in every nook and corner of Nagaland clearly depicting that the Act is not a success story and therefore appealed the members of the house to honestly and sincerely look the state of affairs in today’s scenario and take certain corrective measures as mandated for the good governance and welfare of the people of Nagaland.
Advisor for School Education and SCERT, Dr. Kekhrielhoulie Yhome, taking part in the discussion, said that the idea of demonisation of liquor is bad for the state and for the younger generations. Yhome opined that proper discussion with the civil society and stake holder must be initiated as many feel that lifting of prohibition will create anarchy and create a lot of disharmony if prohibition Act is lifted in the state. He said that the rule of law must be applied and there should be respect of rule of law.
Yhome said that prohibition has curbed the individual liberty in the past and we cannot afford to go back to the medieval age or apply rules of law of medieval legislation in the 22nd century generation. He also stressed on educating the younger generation to be taught that there cannot be anarchy and to respect the rule of law.
Advisor, Civil Administration Works Division and Taxes, Kudecho Khamo participating in the discussion on the issue of NLTP Act 1989 said he was in favour of continuing the Act since this ‘Act’ acts as a shelter for the people of Nagaland. He mentioned that the ill effect of liquor and its impact on our people, has adversely affected many families in one or the other way, be it health or our moral integrity, financial and social life. He therefore urged to support the NLTP Act for the benefit of everyone.
MLA, Nuklutoshi participated in the discussion and said that the NLTP Act has failed which in turn has created many problems for the State. Seeing the sorry state of affairs in the State with regard to the rampant illegal sale of alcohol he urged the house to resolve the issue and lift the NLTP Act completely. He also stated that church and government must play their respective role.
MLA, Jwenga Seb and Minister Power and Parliamentary Affairs, K.G Kenye also took part in the discussion.
MLA, Kuzholuzo Nienu in his speech admitted that the NLTP Act 1989 was a total failure that has resulted in economic and life loss due to spurious liquor and said he supported the lifting of NLTP Act 1989 and asked the Government to take a U Turn, since the Government is a people government. He also pointed out if the state was serious to implement the act, it should enforce more manpower since the present manpower is just a handful.
MLA, Dr. Neisatuo Mero asked to look at roots of the act where the Churches and the Civil Society Organizations stood firm that finally compelled the government to pass the law. He said due to the act our state could not generate revenues but caused more premature deaths as a result of spurious liquor, increased crime rate, mental problems. He also emphasized that many young people have also taken up drugs as it was cheaper than the spurious liquor, he therefore called upon the house to have a wide range of consultation and share the government policies amongst the stakeholders.
On NLTP Act, MLA, P. Longon opined that the government of the day should strengthen and reinforce the Act by increasing the manpower in the Department.
MLA, Dr. Sukhato mentioned the adverse effects of alcohol consumption from professional point of view. He strongly warned that consumption of spurious liquor has to be stopped as it is very harmful to our physical body in all aspects.
MLA, Achumbemo Kikon said no country has been succeeded in restriction or implementation of alcohol related regulations. He added that the Act was applicable during the 1980s, however, over the years, it has become redundant due to so many situational challenges. Therefore, he strongly urged the government of the day for lifting the act because there was no mechanism to prevent the flow of liquor into our State. He also urged the government of the day to constitute a committee on this act.
Adviser, Law & Justice and Land Revenue, T. N. Mannen, Retd. IAS said that it is a high time to relook at the NLTP Act. As far as this Act is concerned, it should not be left alone to the government only but should take on board the churches and the tribal hohos where a rationale kind of understanding and balanced decision should be arrived at in order to follow it in letter and spirit.
MLA Dr. Tseilhoutuo Rhutso said there are many medical and social benefits of drinking but the problem lies when it is misused. He added that instead of blanket ban we need to focus on education and awareness program, strict regulations on its sale and consumption, support for addiction treatment and encourage a culture of responsibility. He encouraged for a balance approach to promote public health and safety respecting individual rights. Dr Rhutso called on the need for proper consultation with the church leaders, civil societies and gave a try by lifting the ban for a year or two to see the results.
