In April 2016, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar imposed a total ban on alcohol in the state. “When we saw the overwhelming support of people, especially women and children, for the ban on country liquor in the state within days of its ban, we decided to implement a total ban on liquor,” he said then. No new liquor licenses will be issued to hotels, bars and clubs.
Ten years later, voices are being heard from within the ruling dispensation demanding a review of the state’s prohibition policy. The opposition has also questioned the poor implementation of the policy, saying it has failed to curb the illegal liquor trade that is flourishing in the state. Calls for a review have intensified since the ruling parties extended their support to the opposition, putting the state government on the back foot unable to come up with a pointed rebuttal.
Across party lines
Parties such as the Hindusanti Awam Morcha (secular), the Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) and the National Democratic Alliance’s third-largest component Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) want an overhaul of the policy, which is very popular among women voters.
The parties are trying to build an impression that the money raised through liquor excise could help the government boost the state’s economy. Attempts by the ruling parties are also seen as a pressure tactic as Mr Kumar may not have influence over decision-making after the BJP emerged as the single largest party in the assembly elections by winning 89 seats.
RLM legislator Madhaw Anand, who represents Upendra Kushwaha’s party, raised the issue by highlighting the loss of revenue. He said the government was not serious about reviewing the liquor ban, adding that the Prohibition Act had been amended in the past. “This time I have asked for a detailed review. All aspects will be discussed and it will be clear whether this law is necessary or not,” Mr. Anand said outside the assembly in Bihar.
BJP minister Lakhendra Kumar Roshan said that if anyone feels that prohibition is not being implemented properly, a demand for a review cannot be ruled out.
Jitan Ram Manjhi, union minister and founder of HAM(S), has said several times that in cases involving illegal sale and consumption of alcohol, only the poor are arrested while the rich escape. He also cited the loss of revenue caused by the ban.
LJP(RV) chief Chirag Paswan recently said that the Prohibition Act should be revised as its objective has not been achieved and illegal liquor is widely available.
Last week, the Patna High Court, while passing an order in a case related to the ban, had observed that the lives of citizens were at risk due to the failure of the state machinery to implement the ban effectively.
The liquor mafia
Ever since alcohol was banned in the state, the illegal mafia found new ways to smuggle alcohol. Police seized bottles of alcohol from the coffin in the ambulance, septic tanks, LPG cylinders, tyres, train pantry cars and from a delivery van stacked with potatoes and onions.
In recent times, police and excise department officials have been raiding the hideouts of liquor smugglers, and have even been assaulted and beaten up by them. Hundreds of police and excise officials have been suspended for fooling smugglers.
Earlier this week, RJD MLC Sunil Singh challenged the government that liquor smuggling is so rampant in Bihar that “it can be served in the Legislative Council premises”.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) national working president Tejashwi Yadav said there is a shortage of funds and the state government is struggling to pay salaries to its employees after the government announced pre-election leave.
That liquor is readily available in the state can be gauged from the fact that between April 2016, when prohibition was imposed, and December 2025, more than 4.50 million liters of liquor were seized, 16 million people arrested, 1.60 million vehicles impounded and 10 million cases registered. The data was recently shared by Minister Ashok Choudhary in the Legislative Council.
Not only alcohol, but also other forms of substance abuse pose a challenge to the state government. The issue was raised in the Bihar Legislative Council. Among the narcotics, 15,800 kg of ganja, 240 kg of opium, 3.5 kg of hashish and 40,000 liters of cough syrup were seized. In September 2025, a separate unit of the Bureau of Narcotics Prohibition and State Control was established, for which 88 narcotics and prohibition posts were created.
Last year, BJP leader Raj Kumar Singh, a former Union minister, said prohibition had led to the youth “corrupting” themselves with other forms of addiction and getting involved in the illegal liquor trade to “make quick money”. He proposed to abolish it by suitable means.
Loss of income
According to a report by PRS Legislative Research, a non-profit organization based in Delhi, liquor was the primary source of state excise tax. Between 2012–13 and 2015–16, revenue from state excise duty varied between 0.8%–1% of GDP.
In 2015–16, the state government earned ₹3,142 crore from state excise duty, which fell to ₹30 crore in 2016–17 and has since become negligible. By comparison, in 2022–23 states on average budgeted revenue from state excise tax of about 1% of GDP.
According to a Patna-based economist, there is a market worth at least ₹20,000 crore in illegal liquor sales in Bihar.
Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav said that the state is suffering economic losses due to prohibition and claims that there is a parallel economy of ₹40,000 crore illegal liquor trade in Bihar.
Despite repeated demand and deaths due to consumption of spurious liquor, the Chief Minister has always insisted on prohibition and refused any relaxation. This time his allies are not allowed to raise a toast.
Published – 01 March 2026 16:58 IST
