Patna, Aug 12 (IANS) The release of a National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) report on Wednesday recommending a review of Bihar’s Liquor Prohibition policy has triggered a fresh political debate over the state’s prohibition law, with leaders from different parties offering contrasting views on its effectiveness and implementation.
Bihar introduced complete prohibition in 2016 under the then Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, making the policy one of the defining decisions of his government.
While several political leaders have questioned aspects of its implementation over the years, senior Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leaders have largely defended the ban.
JD-U MLC and spokesperson Neeraj Kumar strongly defended the prohibition policy, claiming that it has brought significant changes, particularly in the lives of women in rural Bihar.
He also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had praised the prohibition policy introduced by Nitish Kumar and ruled out the possibility of adopting the Gujarat model in Bihar.
“Prohibition will remain in force in Bihar; anyone who touches it will be destroyed,” Neeraj Kumar said, while defending the Bihar government’s position.
He also questioned some of the arguments surrounding the policy and its social impact.
JD-U MP Devesh Chandra Thakur, however, struck a somewhat different note while discussing the NCAER report.
Thakur said he was satisfied that prohibition remained in force in Bihar but acknowledged that completely eliminating alcohol consumption was unlikely.
He said the situation had changed significantly since 2016, particularly in public spaces, claiming that scenes of people openly drinking and fighting at road intersections had reduced.
At the same time, he supported a review of the policy.
“Sometimes, there is talk of a review, and I also believe that a review should be done. Prohibition should be implemented with control, not with open licence,” Thakur said.
Earlier, Bihar Minister for Prohibition, Excise and Registration Madan Sahani adopted a tougher position on enforcement.
Sahani said that although a complete prohibition has been in place since 2016, some people continue to violate the law.
He warned those involved in the illegal liquor trade and smuggling of strict action.
He said the state government would take legal action against liquor brands seized in Bihar, signalling a tougher approach towards companies and networks allegedly involved in liquor smuggling and illegal liquor trade.
The debate has also brought renewed criticism from Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) Chief and Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, who has previously questioned the implementation of Bihar’s prohibition policy.
Following the NCAER report, Manjhi called for Bihar to adopt a prohibition framework similar to that of Gujarat, saying that the state’s existing system requires a different approach.
Rashtriya Janata Dal MLA Bhai Virendra also criticised the state government over the prohibition policy.
He claimed that the ban was introduced without adequate survey or assessment and said he had personally witnessed problems associated with its implementation.
Bhai Virendra also questioned the Bihar government’s efforts to stop illegal liquor transportation.
He said that merely seizing a few trucks carrying large consignments of liquor should not be presented as a sufficient achievement.
He called for stronger action to prevent liquor smuggling through Bihar’s borders, particularly routes connected with Nepal, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.
The contrasting statements from ruling and opposition leaders have once again put Bihar’s liquor ban at the centre of political discussion.
While JD-U leaders continue to emphasise the social benefits they associate with prohibition, some leaders within the NDA have called for a review or more controlled implementation.
Opposition leaders, meanwhile, have raised questions about enforcement, border smuggling and the effectiveness of the existing system.
The NCAER report has therefore added fresh momentum to a debate that has continued since prohibition was introduced in Bihar in 2016.
–IANS
ajk/khz