Neiphiu RioKohima, March 25: Chief minister Neiphiu Rio said he is allergic to cold drinks, including “local brews”.
Clarifying to the charges of Opposition Congress that he had breached the law by openly drinking the local brew, Rio said “I never drink cold drinks as I am allergic to cold.”
Leader of the Opposition Tokheho Yepthomi had brought to the notice of the House that chief minister Neiphiu Rio and Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma had openly sipped local brew during the Hornbill Festival at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, in December in front of hundreds of people. Local brews are banned in the state.
As proof, he also brought the newspaper clippings where the two chief ministers were holding the mugs.
He said lawmakers often become lawbreakers in the eyes of common people and urged the members of the House to be responsible leaders.
But Rio denied he had local brew on that particular day. He argued that he was holding a mug of boiled maize.
“I thank the leader of the Opposition for giving me a chance to explain my position,” he said candidly. He said he has the habit of drinking only warm water.
Rio also said liquor prohibition was not totally successful in Nagaland but steps were taken to enforce total prohibition.
Minister for excise told the Assembly that liquor, which consists of ethyl alcohol has been banned in the state, which included local brews. The Opposition Congress pointed out that all kinds of liquor and local brews were available in the state, as trucks loaded with liquor were allowed to enter after paying money.
The chief minister said there were bootleggers who are engaged in illegal transportation of liquors in the state.
Sentichuba Ao, a Congress member, insisted that Prohibition Act should not be only for the common people but also for VIPs.He said in all official functions of VIPs and officers, liquor was served despite Nagaland being declared a “dry state”.
He said in all major programmes across the state liquor was served plentifully, which has become a mockery of the law.
Though Nagaland does not have official wine shops, liquor is available in every nook and corner of the state.
