Aizawl, June 3: Mizoram, which enforces complete prohibition, has announced that individuals with medical needs will be allowed to consume India Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) under a special permit system. Officials stated that the excise and narcotics department will issue ‘Red Card’ permits in line with Section 45B(1) of the Mizoram Liquor (Prohibition) Amendment Act, 2025.

The notification issued on Tuesday clarified that applicants whose health conditions require liquor consumption will be eligible to apply, with forms available at excise and narcotics offices across all districts.

The permit will be valid for one year upon payment of ₹5,000. The state assembly had amended the Mizoram Liquor (Prohibition) Act, 2019 in March last year despite strong opposition from rival parties. The revised law also provides for special liquor permits to dignitaries and both domestic and foreign tourists.

In addition, it permits the manufacture, sale, and supply of local wine and fruit beer made exclusively from Mizoram’s agricultural and horticultural produce, including ginger, banana, dragon fruit, passion fruit, pineapple, gooseberry, guava, starfruit, sugarcane, jackfruit, watermelon, and honeydew melon.

The original prohibition law, enacted by the previous Mizo National Front (MNF) government in 2019, had completely banned the manufacture, consumption, sale, and import of liquor or alcohol-related substances in the state. The latest amendment marks a significant shift in Mizoram’s liquor policy, introducing controlled exceptions while retaining its prohibition framework.