Nepalese seek permission to brew and sell Jaar

Indore: After Madhya Pradesh tribals, Nepalese nationals residing in Indore now have sought permission from state government to brew and sell their traditional rice beer called Jaar. Indore MP Shankar Lalwani, who said that he has just ‘forwarded’ the demand to chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to consider as per the rules, has been targeted by Congress for allegedly ‘promoting’ liquor in state.
“Nepalese brew Jaar, which is also called beer, by fermentation of rice and some herbs. The traditional drink is offered and consumed by Nepalese on festivals,” Sanjay Gurum, president of Nepali Sanskriti Parishad said. He added that after the MP Government considered the demand of local tribals by allowing them to prepare ‘Heritage liquor’ (made by Mahua fruit) for self-consumption and sale, Nepali Sanskriti Parishad has sought similar permission for Jaar.
“We had met Indore MP and handed over him a letter, seeking permission,” Gurum said adding that like Heritage liquor, Nepali beer called Jaar has similar importance among Nepalese as the same is cheaper and less intoxicating while its consumption in festivals is a tradition.
According to Lalwani, “Many people meet me and place their demands, requests as was the case in Nepali Sanskriti Parishad seeking permission to brew rice beer. The letter or memorandum submitted by the organization was addressed to the chief minister and thus, I have just forwarded it.” Indore MP added that he has written to the CM, as per standard script with any memorandum, to take appropriate steps on Nepali Sanskriti Parishad’s application as per the rules and regulations.
MPCC secretary Neelabh Shukla however accused Lalwani for allegedly promoting liquor while former CM Uma Bharati and CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan are respectively giving statements to check liquor consumption, Lalwani is recommending for production of Nepali beer. “This shows BJP’s love for liquor and double standard,” he alleged.
Senior Excise official, on condition of anonymity, told TOI the department is yet to receive any such application. "Referring to section 4 of MP Excise Act 1915 (which says that power to declare what shall be deemed to be “country liquor” and “foreign liquor”, respectively. — The State Government may by notification, declare what, for the purposes of this Act, or any portion thereof, shall be deemed to be “country liquor” and “foreign liquor”, respectively), the senior official said that allowing preparation of 'Heritage' or any other type of liquor for self-consumption or commercial purpose or both is area of the state government's jurisdiction. TNN