Gauhati High Court lifts ban & allows sale of liquor in Mizoram

January 28: In Mizoram, the Mizo National Front (MNF) government headed by Chief Minister Zoramthanga declared dry days during December 21, 2018 to January 14, 2019 prohibiting sale of all alcohol. The dry days were further extended till March 10 in a subsequent notification. However, in a significant development, the Aizawl Bench of the Gauhati High Court has quashed the dry day declaration made by the MNF and allowed sale of liquor in the state till March 31, 2019.

The Aizawl Bench of the Gauhati High Court was hearing a lawsuit filed against Mizoram government against extension of dry day declaration. The lawsuit was filed by Mizoram Liquor Vendors Association and three bonded warehouse owners. In the lawsuit, it was stated that the sudden imposition of extended dry days caused huge loss to the liquor vendors and warehouse owners as they had to pay heavily for expenses incurred in electric bills, salary of employees and renting charges and that too without having any sale.

However, warehouse owners and Liquor Vendors are in uncertainty about post-March 31, 2019 as many of them would still be left with a huge unsold stock.