Bihar to implement alcohol ban from April 1, but in phases: Nitish Kumar

Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday said he will start a people's movement against liquor in the state and ensure that the ban on liquor is effectively implemented from April 1, 2016.

"We have to effectively implement the ban on liquor from April 1, 2016 and we have taken a lot of decisions in this regard. In other states as well the government tried to ban liquor but it was not implemented properly. I want to implement this liquor ban effectively. We will also start a movement against liquor in the state. Women from various organisations will be part of the movement. The District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police will be responsible to ensure liquor ban," Kumar told a press conference here.

Kumar also said he will establish de-addiction centre to help people overcome liquor addiction.

"In first stage, sale of local brands of liquor will be banned completely. Sale of foreign brands of liquor will be limited. Sale will be confined to only 'Nagar Nigam' and 'Nagar Palika'. Through this decision, overall, 90 percent reduction will be recorded in the sale of liquor statewide," he added.

Liquor Prohibition was the first major announcement by Kumar after he was sworn in as Chief Minister for the fifth time following an emphatic election victory. It was a promise he had made at a public event in April to a group of angry women who had complained about liquor addiction in villages.