Kohima, March 27 Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Friday said that the state government is examining the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, 1989, in a "balanced and consultative manner," while stepping up efforts to tackle substance abuse and revive oil and natural gas exploration.
Responding to concerns raised during the general discussion on Budget 2026-27 in the Assembly, the chief minister said the NLTP Act was enacted in response to strong societal demand to promote public health and social well-being, but admitted that evolving ground realities have led to differing views.
"While sections of society continue to support the strengthening of the existing prohibition framework, others have raised concerns regarding enforcement challenges and the unintended growth of illicit activities, suggesting a calibrated review of the current regime," he said.
The government acknowledges these diverse viewpoints, he said, asserting that it is also cognizant of the operational challenges faced by enforcement agencies and the need for strengthening institutional capacity, public awareness, and rehabilitation mechanisms.
The chief minister informed the House that the government is examining the matter in a balanced and consultative manner.
Rio acknowledged the growing challenge of drug abuse and said enforcement agencies are taking action under the NDPS Act.
He said that 157 cases were registered in 2025, leading to the arrest of 260 persons.
He, however, stressed that beyond enforcement, "deeper psychological challenges" must be addressed, for which the government has introduced the Nagaland Community Wellbeing Initiative aimed at providing psychological support to youth.
Rio also outlined the status of oil and natural gas exploration in the state, stating that activities have remained stalled since 1994 due to unresolved issues.
He said the state has taken steps over the years, including framing of petroleum rules in 2012 and engaging with the Centre, but progress has been hindered by legal challenges and lack of consensus.
He added that the state has urged the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas to expedite resolution of pending issues, with recent discussions held in February 2026.
Earlier, Advisor for Food and Civil Supplies and MLA K T Sukhalu called for urgent policy decisions to boost state revenue, including initiating oil exploration and reviewing prohibition.
He said Nagaland has significant untapped potential in oil resources and stressed that delays in exploration have affected the state's financial prospects.
Sukhalu also raised serious concerns over rising substance abuse, warning that Nagaland's proximity to Myanmar, a major producer of illicit opium, makes the state highly vulnerable to drug trafficking.
He said enforcement efforts alone would not be sufficient without strong policy intervention.
Arguing that the prohibition law has failed to achieve its objectives, Sukhalu said liquor continues to be widely available in the state, often in adulterated forms, leading to health risks and social problems.
He maintained that prohibition has driven the trade underground, making regulation difficult, and called for an open and pragmatic review of the Act.
He further emphasised the need for policy reforms to reduce dependence on borrowing and strengthen the state's financial sustainability, suggesting that regulated systems and resource utilisation could help improve revenue generation.