The Manipur Cabinet on December 15 approved the establishment of the Manipur State Beverages Corporation Limited (MSBCL), signalling a significant shift in the State’s alcohol policy.
The creation of the corporation paves the way for legalising the production, sale, and consumption of alcohol in specific regions of Manipur, marking the end of more than 30 years of prohibition in the State.
The MSBCL would function under the State’s Finance Minister with a Board of Directors comprising key Secretaries responsible for diverse sectors such as finance, home affairs, health, education, rural development, and municipal governance. The strategy aims at ensuring a well-rounded approach to alcohol regulation, considering various facets of public health and socio-economic welfare, officials said.
