Mizoram sets up committee to study impact of Mizoram Liquor Prohibition and Control Act

Mizoram government has constituted a 'Review and Evaluation Committee' to study the impact of the Mizoram Liquor Prohibition and Control Act, 2014.

According to an official notification, the committee would be chaired by state Excise and Narcotics Minister R Lalzirliana with Parliamentary Secretary for Excise and Narcotics Lt Colonel Z S Zuala as Vice Chairman.

The Committee would study the economical, social and health aspects of the impact of the MLPC Act and also undertake review of the implementation of the act, in force in the state since January 15, 2015, the notification said.

The 27-member committee comprises eight officials and 17 non-official members which include three priests, a senior Salvation Army officer, six church elders, three professors in economics, three doctors, prominent citizens and leaders of major churches and NGOs.

The MLPC Act, 2014 was enacted by the state assembly amidst strong opposition and protests from the powerful church on July 10, 2014 and came into force from January 15, 2015 while the first wine shop under the new law was opened on March 16, 2015.

The act replaced the stringent prohibition law called the Mizoram Liquor Total Prohibition Act, 1995 imposed in the state since February 20, 1997.