Banned: Alcohol in Bihar to be banned April 2016 onwards, CM Nitish Kumar announces

From the next financial year, alcohol will be banned in Bihar, as announced by the state’s Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. He has done so after he had promised a group of angry women about the same, at an event in July. Reportedly, the women were angry over the alarming addiction to country liquor in Bihar villages.

"In 1977-78 we tried to impose prohibition but it was not effective. But I feel women are suffering more than others (because of alcohol abuse)... I have instructed my officials to start working towards this and implement this from the next financial year," Mr Kumar said at a function.

After his swearing in as Bihar’s Chief Minister last week, this is his first major announcement. However, one can’t be sure if alcohol would be completely banned or the ban would be restricted to just country liquor.

Talking of the income through alcohol, last year Bihar government earned nearly Rs. 3,500 crore through taxes on the sale of alcohol. How and when this loss of revenue would be covered up is yet to be known.

Other Indian states where alcohol is banned are Gujarat, Nagaland, Manipur and Lakshwadeep. Last year, Kerela too had announced its aim to be alcohol-free within 10 years.

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