Shillong July 28:Excise Minister Kyrmen Shylla has said consumption of alcohol is not considered as an alternative to drugs.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Shylla said the sale of alcohol in Meghalaya is regulated according to policy and rules, and it is not presented as an alternative to drugs.
Shylla said drugs are dangerous substance affecting the youth of the state.
He said that even in dry states, drug abuse is prevalent, and in some areas where alcohol is banned, children have turned to drugs.
“I have seen in dry states, there are lots of drugs being introduced and many kids are involved in drug abuse. In Meghalaya, we are not a dry state, we allow alcohol as per rules and regulations, but still drugs are there. There are few pockets where alcohol was completely banned where they do not allow liquor shops, I have seen those areas in some parts of the state”, he said.
Revenue generation
Shylla said the revenue generated from liquor sales is expected to cross Rs 500 crore after the implementation of the QR Code system and Integrated Excise Management System (IEMS).
He said the government has stopped issuing licences temporarily to study the presence of too many wine shops in certain locations and will decide on introducing new shops based on data collected through IEMS.
Shylla said, “We expect that the revenue will cross Rs 500 crore but after completion of IEMS and QR Code. We expect a huge change will be there not suddenly but after a year or two, there will be a huge change.”
HNYF opposes wine stores
The Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) Mawryngkneng Circle is against the decision of the Pommura dorbar shnong to grant no objection certificate (NOC) for establishment of four to five wine stores in the village.
In a letter submitted to the Excise Minister Kyrmen Shylla on Monday, HNYF-MC working president Robert Sohtun said, “We strongly oppose the dorbar shnong’s decision to issue NOC for establishment of four-five wine stores. Therefore, we request your intervention to stop this move.”
He said the opposition is rooted in the consequences of having only one wine store, which has contributed to road accidents and law and order issues, resulting in loss of lives.
