'Dry State' of Manipur Sees Highest Liquor Consumers

IMPHAL: Manipur is the country's one of the leading liquor consuming states, if a recent health survey is to be believed.

According to the National Family Health Survey-5 in 2021, 47.9% of the population aged above 15 years consumes liquor despite the dry-state tag.

Among the districts, Bishnupur is shown at the top.

The survey was conducted in 9 selected districts before coming to this conclusion. But the state has the dry state tag.

It was revealed in the report that 1.8% urban women above 15 years have the habit of liquor consumption. On the other hand, the percentage of women liquor consumer in the rural area is marginally less that that of the urban counterparts.

Of the male population, 42.2% in the urban areas have the habit of liquor consumption and they are able 15 years of age. But the figure is much high in the rural areas where 52.1% male population above 15 years consume liquor in the 'dry state'.

Bishnupur district alone has 44.3% male liquor consumers who are above 15 years of age. Imphal West has the less women liquor consumers. But 36.1% of male population in Imphal East district consumes liquor whereas the figure for women consumers stands at 0.8%.

Thoubal is at the bottom of the list, with women liquor consumers at only 1%. But the percentage of male liquor consumers is 34.1%.

Hill districts are known for higher women liquor consumers. The percentage of female women liquor consumer above 15 years of age in Tamenglong district stands at 36.1%.

According to the survey, 1.2% female over 15 years in Senapati district consumes liquor. 35.1% of the male population here comprise liquor consumers.

Notably, Chief Minister N Biren Singh recently announced the decision to partially lift the dry-state tag after consultation with experts. He further announced the decision to set up a beer factory to utilize local fruits saying that these products have good demand in the outside market.

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