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DIMAPUR — Nagaland’s Minister of Tourism, Temjen Imna Along, expressed the view that careful and responsible lifting of the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, 1989, could be beneficial for the state.
The minister however emphasised that the matter should be approached with conscientiousness, taking into account the perspectives of church bodies, NGOs and the public at large.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of a programme in Dimapur on Friday, Along highlighted the need for a thoughtful decision-making process involving civil societies and NGOs. The chief minister, along with his cabinet colleagues, will consider and determine the most suitable course of action for the people, he said.
The minister pointed out the prevalence of spurious liquor and the existence of syndicates leading to inflated prices. He stressed that any decision to lift the NLTP Act should be executed judiciously, encompassing all districts rather than being limited to specific regions.
Regarding the upcoming Lok Sabha election, the minister stated that while he does not have detailed information about the decisions made, he is confident that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make the right choices at the appropriate time.
He noted the alliance between BJP and NDPP in Nagaland and expressed assurance that they will collaborate effectively.
On the Hornbill Festival in 2024, a jubilee year, Along mentioned that it is too early to provide detailed comments. However, he shared that the department is planning to establish a master plan for the event next year. This plan will involve extensive discussions and consultations, he said.