Partial liquor ban imposed in Bihar

Partial liquor ban has been imposed in Bihar today following the state government issuing a notification in this regard. “The state cabinet gave its nod to Excise and Prohibition department’s proposal to issue a notification for implementing prohibition in rural areas besides putting a blanket ban on country-made and spiced liquor,” a senior state government official, wishing anonymity, told PTI.

“A notification has been issued for implementing prohibition in rural areas besides banning country-made liquor across the state,” Kunwar Jang Bahadur told PTI. This means that the person indulging in manufacturing trade, transportation, sale and consumption of country-made and spiced liquor across the state will be punished for violating the stringent provisions of the Bihar Excise (Amendment) Act, 2016.

The Act was passed by both the Houses of Bihar Legislature yesterday that various stringent provisions including awarding ‘capital punishment’ for those who manufacture and sell illicit liquor that causes death. As per the provisions of the Act, complete prohibition will be implemented in rural areas besides a complete ban on country-made spiced liquor across the state from tomorrow.

Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) will be sold in limited areas of the state i.e. municipal corporations and councils through the outlets of Bihar State Beverages Corporation Ltd (BSBCL). Excise and Prohibition department and other government agencies and district administration are taking up measures to implement partial liquor ban in the state.

In Patna, around 13.50 lakh bottles of country made liquor were destroyed at BSBCL godown in Khagaul with the help of earth-mover machine amid tight security in the presence of other senior officials led by Patna District Magistrate Sanjay Kumar Agarwal. “We have destroyed 13.50 lakh bottles of country made liquor....worth Rs 3 crore...Shops are being sealed by the magistrates appointed for the purpose,” Agarwal told PTI.