Mizoram collects Rs 19.44 cr from liquor

 AIZAWL, Nov 30 - Government of Mizoram has collected a total of Rs 19.44 crore from sale of liquor in eight months after Mizoram Liquor Prohibition & Control (MLPC) Act, 2014 came to force in the State from January 16 last, official sources said.

Over 56,631 people were issued liquor permit under the MLPC Act and there were 22 retail wine shops across five districts of the State.

As many as 18 retail wine shops were opened in five districts across the state, including six in Aizawl. According to the sources, the government also received a total revenue of Rs 24.82 crore with subsequent issue of sale permit since March, 2015.

As many as 1,495 people had been disciplined or booked for violation of MLPC Act, while over 507 persons have misused their permit.

The sources also said that the sale or consumption of spurious liquor has decreased considerably after the implementation of MLPC Act.

READ MORE - Mizoram collects Rs 19.44 cr from liquor

62 Percent Turnout in Mizoram By-Election

An estimated 61.98 per cent voters exercised their franchise in the by-election to Aizawl North – III Assembly seat on Saturday, Mizoram State Election department officials said.

Aizawl district SP Lalhuliana Fanai said the polling in all the 19 polling stations was completely peaceful. An estimated 61.98 per cent voters of the total electorate of 17,582 voted, SEC said.

The voters decided the political fortunes of Lal Thanzara of ruling Congress, K Vanlalvena of Mizo National Front and Lalduhawma of National Democratic Alliance, pre-poll alliance of Zoram Nationalist Party and BJP. Counting of votes would be conducted on Tuesday next.

By-poll in the constituency was necessitated by the resignation of former Health Minister and Congress nominee Lal Thanzara on August 18 last due to allegations of conflict of interests.

READ MORE - 62 Percent Turnout in Mizoram By-Election

FIRs mark end to campaigning for Aizawl assembly seat

Campaigning for the November 21 by-election to Aizawl North III Assembly seat in Mizoram ended today amidst acrimony with a candidate and a Congress leader filing FIRs against each other.

Mizo National Front candidate R Vanlalvena filed the FIR against Aizawl District Congress Committee (ADCC) leader K Lalthantluanga, who had accused him of taking Rs 2 lakh from Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla just before 2013 state Assembly elections.

Lalthantluanga in a press conference yesterday had said Vanlalvena had received the money from the chief minister through him following promises to campaign for Lal Thanhawla in Hrangturzo Assembly seat.

Vanlalvena in his FIR said he had never received money from Lal Thanhawla or Lalthantluanga and the latter's claim was an attempt to tarnish his name and that of MNF during the hustings.

Lalthantluanga filed a counter FIR in the same police station claiming that his statement was true and the MNF candidate was trying to defame him.

Polling for the by-poll to the Aizawl North - III seat would be held on Saturday.

By-poll in the constituency was necessitated by the resignation of former health minister Lal Thanzara on August 18 last due to allegations of 'conflict of interests' in news reports and by the opposition parties.

Lal Thanzara, the younger brother of Lal Thanhawla allegedly held more than 21 per cent shares in a construction company which bagged road construction work of the state government worth crores of rupees.

His HP Food Products company was also alleged to have supplied nutrition items worth crores of rupees to the state social welfare department when he was a parliamentary secretary and later a minister of state.

He is, however, the Congress candidate for the same seat he vacated.

READ MORE - FIRs mark end to campaigning for Aizawl assembly seat

MNF to contest all seats in AMC polls

Opposition Mizo National front (MNF) would contest all the seats for the coming election to the 19-ward Aizawl Municipal Corporation (AMC) to be held on November 26.

President Zoramthanga today announced that the MNF would contest all the seats, including six reserved for women.

The ruling Congress, which forged alliance with the Mizoram People's Conference (MPC) was yet to announce its candidates for the civic polls though the seat-sharing formula of 14:5 was already agreed upon by the two partners.

The BJP and the Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP) combine under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) banner was also yet to announce its candidates for the AMC polls.

Meanwhile, no one has file nomination papers for the by-election to the Aizawl North - III assembly seat till today even Wednesday is the last date of filing nominations.

The by-poll, necessitated by the resignation of former health minister Lal Thanzara on August 18 over alleged 'conflict of interests' case, would be held on November 21.

The ruling Congress announced that Lal Thanzara would be its candidate for the coming by-polls while the MNF nominated president of its youth front K. Vanlalvena to contest against the former.

No nomination papers were received till date for both the elections to the AMC and the Lai Autonomous District Council (LADC) to be held simultaneously on October 26 for which last date of filing nominations was fixed on Friday next.

READ MORE - MNF to contest all seats in AMC polls