A Report Recommends Ending Bihars Liquor Ban Why Bjp Will Find It Hard

A research think tank’s recent study recommending revocation of liquor prohibition in Bihar, citing huge revenue losses and inability to curb crimes against women, has sparked a conversation in the political circles of Patna on the impact of the decade-old ban and whether it should be revisited.

While it has given the Opposition RJD the chance to accuse the BJP of not being able to implement prohibition properly, NDA allies called for stricter implementation of the ban. At least one JD(U) leader, though, seemed to be in favour of reversing the prohibition.

While the ruling BJP, according to a source, is cognizant of the revenue that opening up liquor sales would bring in, it is also mindful of possible offence that tweaking the policy could cause to former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. For now, the ruling party will take its own time before reviewing the policy, the source said.

RJD national spokesperson Subodh Kumar Mehta said the study shows “the utter failure” of the state government. “All political parties had unanimously implemented the liquor ban in the state. We are still in favour of the ban. The study shows the utter failure of the government. It is not only about annual revenue loss, but the creation of a parallel black liquor economy. Reports like this suggest that the state government may try to find a way out of the liquor ban, partially or fully, in due course,” he told The Indian Express.

While the JD(U)’s official stand favours prohibition, party MP from Sitamarhi, Devesh Chandra Thakur, called for a review. “Liquor ban has not succeeded anywhere,” he said.

Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief and Union Minister Chirag Paswan said: “It is true that we have to find ways to boost revenue, but it does not mean that we should lift the liquor ban.”

Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) chief and Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi said: “Bihar should follow the Gujarat model of stricter implementation of prohibition.” Earlier, Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary had made it clear that the state government would not revisit its liquor policy.

Regardless of official party lines, serious discussions are underway within the ruling alliance around the ban, sources said. “There has been a drastic increase in the use of alternative intoxicants alongside the creation of a parallel liquor economy. Plus, the hospitality industry can only thrive in Bihar if we open up liquor sales, even partially,” said a BJP source. “But one thing is for sure, the state government will still take its time to revisit its liquor policy. Any tweak in the policy could offend former CM Kumar. A prohibition rollback is a decision in slow progress,” a BJP source said.

The study, titled “Macro perspective of Bihar’s development achievements: Unfinished agenda and the way forward” and presented by a team of economists led by Ratna Sahay, noted a “rapid emergence” of an illicit drug market and the use of alternative intoxicants. “Legal drinking was replaced by an increase in liquor trade, bootlegging, and higher consumption of alternative intoxicants,” it stated.

According to the study, prohibition continues to cause heavy annual revenue losses to the state exchequer, estimating that lifting the ban could boost state revenue by 14 to 15%. Bihar generates an annual revenue of around Rs 65,000 crore.

Santosh Singh is a Senior Assistant Editor with The Indian Express since June 2008. Exper... Read More