Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Aizawl: The Mizoram government is introducing special permits for the possession and consumption of India Made Foreign Liquor on medical grounds. The State Excise and Narcotics Department confirmed the rollout, noting that eligible applicants can now apply for these permits under the Mizoram Liquor (Prohibition) Amendment Act, 2025.
Residents seeking these Red Card permits can obtain application forms from excise and narcotics offices in every district. Each permit costs Rs 5,000 and remains valid for one year. This change stems from legislative amendments passed by the State Assembly last March, despite pushback from opposition parties.
Beyond medical use, the updated law allows for special liquor permits to be issued to dignitaries, as well as domestic and foreign tourists. The legislation also encourages local industry by permitting the production and sale of wine and fruit beer made from regional crops like ginger, pineapple, banana, and dragon fruit.
Mizoram has operated as a dry state since 2019, when the previous Mizo National Front government enacted a total ban on the sale, manufacture, and consumption of alcohol. This new framework represents a notable shift in how the state regulates liquor access for specific groups and supports local agriculture.
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