Mizoram will lose around Rs 60 to 70 crore a year if the Zoramthanga-led Mizo National Front (MNF) dispensation re-imposes total prohibition as promised, a cost the civil society group and the Church said was “less than the cost of human lives”.

The prohibition issue is expected to come up for discussion in the three-day first session of the MNF government from Tuesday.

MNF chief Zoramthanga, who will be sworn in as chief minister on Saturday in Aizawl, had promised before the November 28 poll and after the results that he would lift The Mizoram Liquor (Prohibition & Control) Act, 2015, and re-impose total prohibition.

The earlier Zoramthanmga government had imposed The Mizoram Liquor Total Prohibition Act, 1995.

Excise department sources said the revenue earned by the government from the liquor trade, since prohibition was lifted in 2015, was Rs 60.60 crore in 2015-16; Rs 72.26 crore in 2016-17 and Rs 65.68 in 2017-18.

They said it would be difficult to mop up this kind of revenue in a tiny hill state, with a population of just over 11 lakh, dependent heavily on central funding for development.

“During prohibition the excise department used to earn about Rs 30-35 lakh a month. There are 54 wine shops, two bars and one micro brewery for beer. Directly and indirectly, about 75 families are dependent on the trade,” an official said.

Besides drop in revenue, the few against prohibition say the proposed ban will see a return to liquor from Myanmar and other neighbouring states sold illegally in the state as before.

Sale of spurious liquor will also increase.

The MNF has to deliver on its pre-poll promise of prohibition, sources said, or else risk inviting the wrath of the church and the civil societies.

The influential Presbyterian Church had organised mass prayers twice in 2014 against lifting of prohibition.

Liberal liquor policy is seen as a reason for the Congress’ poll debacle. It did not pay heed to call of civil societies and Church to ban liquor because of “rise” in alcohol-related deaths. Zoramthanga claims about 6,000 have died after prohibition was lifted.

The Church and civil societies stand firm.

Central Young Mizo Association president Vanlalruata, “Let’s wait and watch. No government has collapsed when prohibition was in force.”

Rev F. Lalrinnunga said, ”Loss of revenue is less than loss of human lives and sufferings.”