Bihar, known as India’s poorest state, implemented a statewide alcohol ban nine years ago to address issues such as addiction, domestic violence, and financial difficulties affecting low-income families. However, the effectiveness of this policy remains uncertain.
Recent investigations reveal issues with enforcement. During a raid conducted by Bihar excise officers, a hidden illegal distillery was discovered. Upon arrival, the officers found equipment still warm, indicating recent use, but the operators had escaped, allegedly due to receiving warnings before such raids. Local police attribute these challenges to factors like staffing shortages and advanced smuggling techniques.
The ban was enacted in 2016, driven by demands from women’s advocacy groups, and was a significant element in securing a win for Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s coalition in recent elections. Officials report over 1.1 million cases and 650,000 convictions since the ban, primarily for consumption rather than production or transport of alcohol. Despite these figures, illicit alcohol continues to be widely available, with substantial quantities seized before elections.
The question arises: why is effective enforcement so challenging? Factors include inadequate staffing, advanced smuggling routes from neighboring states, and corruption. Prohibition laws have not entirely deterred illegal activities, as many setups regenerate quickly post-raid. Some women whose lives have been deeply affected by alcoholism express a desire for the ban to remain, citing the financial and social improvements reported by others.
Other Indian states have also faced difficulties with prohibition, sometimes reverting their bans due to economic issues. As Bihar continues to grapple with the complexities of alcohol prohibition, the debate over its true impact—whether it has successfully reduced alcohol-related issues or merely pushed them underground—persists.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp3de4dqvk8o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss