The newly legislated Mizoram Liquor Prohibition and Control Act, 2014, which lifts total prohibition and allows drinks for people above 21 years of age will be in force in the current fiscal.
Stating this Excise and Narcotics Minister R. Lalzirliana said he discussed the draft Mizoram Liquor Prohibition and Control Rules, 2014 with senior officials in his office on Tuesday and it would soon be sent to the state Law Department for final approval.
The new Act was legislated by the state Assembly in July to replace the stringent Mizoram Liquor Total Prohibition Act, 1995, imposed in the state for 17 years.
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The minister said the state government was of the opinion that total prohibition did more harm than good to the people of the state as many people died due to consumption of spurious liquor.
Only people above 21 years of age would be allowed to drink under the new law while drunken driving and drunken brawls would be severely dealt with, he said.