Patna, Aug 11: The Janata Dal (United) on Tuesday ruled out any review of Bihar’s prohibition policy, asserting that the liquor ban introduced during the tenure of party leader Nitish Kumar has brought significant social changes, particularly in rural areas.Senior JD(U) leader and MLC Neeraj Kumar said there was no question of reconsidering the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, which came into force in 2016.
Kumar said the prohibition policy had positively affected the lives of rural women and claimed that the initiative had also received appreciation from senior BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.His remarks came amid a renewed debate over the effectiveness of prohibition in the state. Union minister and NDA ally Jitan Ram Manjhi has previously pointed to shortcomings in the implementation of the ban and suggested that Bihar examine the Gujarat model of prohibition.
Manjhi has argued that loopholes in enforcement have contributed to illegal liquor activities and called for a more streamlined approach to the policy.The Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act prohibits the manufacture, sale and consumption of liquor in the state, with enforcement measures aimed at curbing alcohol-related social and economic problems.The issue has also gained an economic dimension following the release of a research report by the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER).
The report, titled “Macro Perspective of Bihar’s Development Achievements: Unfinished Agenda and the Way Forward,” reportedly highlighted revenue losses associated with prohibition and estimated that lifting the ban could potentially increase the state’s revenue by around 14-15 per cent.
The report also pointed to concerns over the growth of illegal liquor trade and the consumption of alternative intoxicants following the implementation of prohibition.
Meanwhile, RJD leader Bhai Birendra said that his party continued to support prohibition but acknowledged concerns over its implementation. He alleged that liquor continues to be sold illegally despite the ban and argued that enforcement mechanisms should be strengthened.The contrasting views have brought the future of Bihar’s prohibition policy back into political focus.
While the JD(U) remains firmly opposed to reviewing the ban, some political leaders are calling for changes in its implementation to tackle illegal trade and other challenges.For now, the JD(U)’s position remains clear: Bihar’s prohibition policy will continue and there is no proposal to review it.
