‘I Stand Against Liquor,’ Bihar CM Nitish Kumar On Request to Lift State-Wide Liquor Ban
CIABC on Sunday urged the Bihar government to end liquor prohibition after a series of 30 deaths linked to the consumption of illicit liquor
Mumbai: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday said that he stands against liquor, claiming that the general crime rates came down after the liquor ban in the state.
“Some people have turned against me because I ordered a liquor ban & I’m serious about it. Those who are against it, feel bad. It’s a different matter, they might have their own opinion. But we listened to the people- both men & women. I stand against liquor,” Bihar CM Nitish Kumar.
The Chief Minister further said that the increasing crimes have nothing to do with the prohibition on liquor. He also claimed that the general crimes in a few areas have come down, along with the crime rate after the liquor ban.
“It is not as if the crime has increased (in the state). The crime figures have not increased. If something happens, action is taken. Administration & Police are active and action is being taken wherever something is happening,” Bihar CM.
He added, “At some places, other incidents have occurred, an incident of Naxals has been reported from one location. It’s being probed. It’s a different matter but the incidents of general crime have come down. I’d also like to add that the crime rate has come down after the liquor ban.”
The Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC) on Sunday urged the Bihar government to end liquor prohibition in the state after a series of 30 deaths linked to consumption of illicit liquor was reported earlier this month.
The letter said that Bihar’s growth and development has been affected as the state is losing out on revenue from the legitimate liquor trade, which is pegged at around ₹10,000 crores per annum.
However, the industry body has recommended a state-run wholesaling corporation for close monitoring and control of the liquor trade in the state.
In 2016, Nitish Kumar imposed a state-wide ban on alcohol, which was a key political plank used by him during the 2015 assembly polls.
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