“For years, Manipur has held the blueprint for a regulated hemp industry, which is a policy designed to foster innovation while ensuring safety. Yet, this framework remains frozen in administrative limbo. With the government’s current efforts to reconcile and authenticate its official gazette records, there has never been a more opportune moment to bring the Manipur Narcotic Drugs (Amendment) Rules, 2020 out of the shadows. It is time to finalize the notification of Gazette No. 317 and turn a long-awaited policy into a transparent, enforceable law.”
TFM Analysis
Manipur has officially envisioned a sustainable and regulated framework for the medicinal, scientific, and industrial use of hemp. The objective was to create a balanced environment that supports legitimate economic growth and research while maintaining the strict oversight required by law. Yet, despite the Manipur Narcotic Drugs (Amendment) Rules, 2020 (see pic) being drafted and prepared, this framework remains effectively dormant, leaving potential stakeholders in a state of regulatory uncertainty edging on to mystery. The Rules had also escaped public scrutiny.
The Missing Notification
In December 2020, the Government of Manipur prepared a comprehensive set of rules to govern hemp cultivation and manufacturing (Notification No. 35/1(5)/19-H(NDPS)Pt). As evidenced by Gazette No. 317, the document is thorough, outlining clear licensing forms, security protocols for vault storage, and standard operating procedures for handling botanical materials.
However, there is a critical disconnect between policy and practice. The amendment explicitly states that these rules “shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette”. To date, this final administrative step, which is a formal notification, has not been fully enacted for public use since 2020. While the state has empowered Excise officials to enforce the NDPS Act, 1985, the legal mechanism to allow the public to apply for regulated cultivation licenses remains inaccessible.
A Path Towards Transparency
The Directorate of Printing & Stationery, Government of Manipur, recently issued a circular regarding the “Reconstruction of Missing Gazettes” (ID-DPS-203/10/2025-DPS-DP&S). In this public notice, the Directorate, led by Director Ng. Roben Singh, invited stakeholders to submit claims, comments, or suggestions to help bridge gaps in government records, emphasizing a commitment to completeness and procedural integrity.
Reliable information indicates that a copy of the 2020 amendment is currently held within the records of the Directorate under Ng. Roben Singh. This presents a unique and timely opportunity for the state to resolve the current impasse. There is a need to urge the Directorate of Printing & Stationery and the Home Department to “do the needful” by ensuring that the Manipur Narcotic Drugs (Amendment) Rules, 2020 (Gazette No. 317) are formally validated, notified, and made accessible to the public.
Legal Clarity and Subsequent Action
By finalizing the notification of these rules, the government can move from a draft framework to a transparent, regulated system. This step would provide the legal clarity that entrepreneurs, researchers, and the public require. The blueprint for a regulated hemp policy is ready. It is high time the authorities finalize this administrative process, thereby allowing Manipur to foster legal industry while upholding the high standard of oversight the law requires.
(Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes and advocates for administrative transparency regarding existing government policy frameworks).