Restriction on sale of alcohol pushes up price
July 24, 2007: Restriction on the sale of alcohol in Chin State, Myanmar has pushed up prices by almost four times. The restriction has been imposed by local medical officers and the Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC).
With the business in alcohol presumed to be contrary to beliefs of the Christian community, the joint operation by TPDC members headed by U Lai To and medical officers of Thangtlang Township in Chin state has been restricting sale of alcohol since 2005.
"The people are also supporting the anti alcohol drive of the local authorities as they feel the sale of liquor is against Christian faith," said a local in Thangtlang.Since the anti-alcohol drive launched in 2005, the price of Myanmar Rum risen from Kyat 700 to 2,000 while OB has increased to Kyat 4,000 from Kyat 1,000, another a local in Thangtlang said.
The premium price of alcohol in the black market has made some traders smuggle liquor to Thangtlang town from Hakha town, capital of Chin state despite the restriction.
The TPDC authorities have imposed a fine ranging from Kyat 20,000 to Kyat 50,000 in case of conviction. The churches have vowed to expel the accused, said a local.
So far, four persons have been arrested for smuggling alcohol.
Thangtlang is the only township in Chin state which has the ban on sale of liquor while the rest of townships are free to do business in alcohol. – Khonumthung.
