Despite all-round criticism, praise, brickbats as well as bouquets over his controversial decision of total prohibition with stringent punitive actions, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said, “There is no going back whatever may be the consequences. I am more than determined to implement total liquor prohibition in true letter and spirit.”
The CM on Wednesday said in a blog he would stand his ground and there will be no half measures. His Government, he said, is committed to translating the aspirations and the will of millions who reposed their faith. He though sounded that there might be opposition and attempts to stall his mission since the “vested interest is powerful.” He recalled that even in States where liquor has been banned the ban is merely symbolic or partial.
Nitish also made references to the media reports against the prohibition which suggested that the liquor ban would not work in Bihar. He said, “For every word that has been written against the liquor ban in the last few months, there are numerous real families — women and children who have cheered for prohibition in Bihar and rest of India. I have openly requested the leadership in Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand to ban liquor. Those calls have been cheered by people of the State, and yet, the leaders have looked the other way. Powerful they are, but they cannot shake the will of the people. I will continue to build upon the will of the people.”
Criticising the “vested interest”, who Nitish said, has gone into a massive overdrive as expected to misinform people about the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Bill, 2016 and alleged that politics have overtaken a social initiative. “If one is serious and determined to see through prohibition in Bihar, then there is no place for ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’. A combination of fair and strict implementation of law coupled with an inspired people’s campaign is a way to go,” he said.
Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, Constitution and Supreme Court order, Nitish said prohibition was a tough task to deliver. He said those who violate the ban appropriate measures will be taken to place accountability. But at the same time he promised a fair implementation of the law. “I am ready to incorporate the best ideas in making the prohibition successful and taking it to more States,” he added.
The CM said, “What sets liquor prohibition apart is that no one in the past has been able to deliver it totally. The liquor lobby cheers to this one fact more than anything else. I am determined to change this track record of public policy.”
Defending the Bill, which has been passed by the Bihar legislature and awaiting the Governor’s nod, Nitish said the Bill is a decisive step which makes the violators directly accountable for their actions. The Bill states that “in case liquor is found or consumed in anyone’s home, an adult member (from family – man-wife & dependent children” occupying the house, not relatives) of the household will presumed to be having the knowledge of such an offence, unless proved otherwise. The CM claimed the Bill rather protects the women of the household from a male adult who wishes to pin the blame to any other member of the family.
Reacting to the criticism of the stern provisions in the Bill, the CM posed questions to them. “Who should be arrested from a house where bottles of liquor are recovered and no member of the family owns up to itIJ Who should be arrested in a case if the house is in the name of the wifeIJ Should the police either return empty handed or commit a further travesty of justice by arresting the wifeIJ”