Mizoram Ends Total Liquor Ban, Allows Limited Sale Under New Bill
Mizoram has taken a bold step by lifting its total liquor ban and passing the Mizoram Liquor (Prohibition) Amendment Bill, 2025. The bill, introduced during the assembly session, sparked controversy, with opposition MLAs staging a walkout in protest.
A Controversial Move
Chief Minister Lalduhoma emphasized that even Muslim-majority countries with strict alcohol bans grant special permits to hotels, foreign dignitaries, and tourists. He confidently stated that the people of Mizoram would support the bill despite opposition resistance.
What’s Allowed Under the New Law?
The amendment introduces several key changes:
- Local Wine and Beer Production: The bill permits the production of wine and beer using locally sourced fruits such as grapes, dragon fruit, guava, amla, and banana, while maintaining the ban on importing alcoholic beverages from outside the state.
- Tourists and Foreign Dignitaries: Visitors with special permission from the Excise Commissioner can now import IMFL (Indian Made Foreign Liquor). If they require additional stock, they may obtain liquor from the Excise Commissioner’s seized inventory.
- Alcohol for Medical Purposes: Individuals with medical prescriptions recommending alcohol consumption will be issued special ‘red cards,’ allowing them to procure alcohol from the Excise Commissioner’s Office.
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Opposition Stands Firm
Despite the government’s assurances, opposition leaders have condemned the bill, arguing that it contradicts Mizoram’s past policies of total prohibition. Their exit from the assembly signals continued resistance to the relaxation of liquor laws in the state.
Implications for Mizoram
With this move, Mizoram joins a growing list of Indian states reconsidering prohibition policies. The law is expected to boost the local economy by promoting fruit-based liquor production while also accommodating tourists and those with medical needs.
