The Mizoram government was yet to notify liquor prohibition rules, excise and narcotics minister K. Beichhua said on Tuesday.

Replying to a query of Congress legislator K.T. Rokhaw on the second day of the ongoing budget session of the Assembly, he said the government had cancelled the notification issued on December 19. “There are no prohibition rules in the state as of now,” Beichhua said.

He added the government had closed 43 liquor shops, three bonded warehouses, two bars and a micro brewery after the Mizoram Liquor (Prohibition) Act, 2019 came into force in the state.

A new excise and narcotics outpost had been set up at Rangvamual on the outskirts of Aizawl and at least four grade IV employees and an inspector were recruited to strengthen the excise and narcotics department after the liquor ban, he said.

He added the government had also approved recruitment of three inspectors, two sub-inspectors, 45 constables, four upper division clerks and two lower division clerks to strengthen the department.

According to the minister, the state government did not issue any licence or permit for buying liquor and the government had not thought of opening liquor shops as of now.

Officials of excise and narcotics department said drafting of the new prohibition rules was more or less complete and were yet to be tabled in the cabinet meeting.

Fulfilling its poll promises the Mizo National Front (MNF) government, headed by chief minister Zoramthanga, passed the Mizoram Liquor (Prohibition) Bill, 2019 in the Assembly on March 20 replacing the four-year old Mizoram Liquor (Prohibition and Control) or MLPC Act, 2014 introduced by the erstwhile Congress government.