Former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi on Tuesday demanded lifting of liquor ban in the state as it is impacting the life of the working class people, news agency PTI reported. Speaking with reporters, Jitan Ram Manjhi stated: "Five lakh people have been jailed, out of which 3.5 lakh are labourers who may have consumed little liquor after a day's work. We don't want such a law."
Jitan Ram Manjhi has always been reprehensive about the liquor ban in the state. Earlier this year, he had urged the administration of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to reconsider its liquor policy, claiming that it is impacting the tourism and revenue of the state. "Due to the liquor policy, existing in the state, the tourists visiting here move to other places like Kolkata, Jharkhand, Banaras in search of liquor which hit revenue and tourism of the State," Manjhi had stated.
What Is Bihar Prohibition And Excise Act, 2016?
The Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, which went into effect on October 2, 2016, enforces, executes, and promotes the entire ban of alcohol and intoxicants throughout the state's territory.
“Whereas it is expedient to provide for a uniform law relating to Prohibition and regulation of liquor and intoxicants, the levy of duties thereon and punishment for the violation of law in the State of Bihar,” the law reads.
The Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act of 2016 was passed within six months after Nitish Kumar was elected to the state Assembly in 2015. It was one of his election pledges to women who were victims of domestic abuse and other crimes committed by their spouses while they were inhibited.
Soon after the legislation was passed, Nitish, who was in an alliance with the RJD and the Congress at the time, travelled to several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Maharashtra, and asked them to implement a similar prohibition policy.