Intelligence reports that the total prohibition might adversely affect poll prospects of Nitish Kumar led JD(U), the CM has hinted to make amends in the prohibition law. Overcrowding of jails and charges that mostly Dalits and poor people belonging to backward class were behind bars are also said to be other reasons for the CM to take this decision. However, the Bihar Government would wait for the order of the Supreme Court where a petition challenging the total prohibition law is pending.
“There could be some relaxations in the Prohibition Act, 2016 but don’t expect that prohibition will be relaxed,” said a senior official associated with the excise and prohibition department. He said after the apex court’s order the Act could be revisited and amended to a certain limit. More than governance, it is supposed to be the political compulsions that are compelling Nitish to relax the stringent provisions like arrest of all the members of the family if liquor was found or anybody caught drunk and other provisions of the new law.