Total prohibition may be an “unrealistic” step for the Odisha Government, but Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has done it in his State.
While Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is yet to open his mouth on the issue of ban on liquor, his Excise Minister Damodar Rout has stated in the State Assembly that consumption of liquor is a personal affair and imposition of prohibition in the State is “unrealistic”.
Meanwhile, the Bihar legislative Assembly has passed a Bill providing for up to Capital Punishment to those manufacturing or trading illicit liquor in the event of a hooch tragedy.
Bihar MlAs have also taken a pledge not to touch liquor. Ahead of the proposed ban on liquor from April 1, the Bihar Government has also found a novel way to create awareness about abstinence from alcohol.
The Bihar Education Department has decided to seek declarations from the fathers of the 73,000 students of primary and secondary schools in the State in which they would promise not to consume alcohol.
“Since a commitment is made to a son or a daughter, this declaration (by the fathers) could be very effective in enforcing the liquor ban in the State,” said Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.