Bihar welcomes amendments by relaxing stringent prohibition law

Patna, July 12: Slating new suggestions and welcoming amendments the cabinet of Bihar has decided to relax some provision on stringent laws. The Bihar Cabinet on Wednesday approved amendments in certain provisions of the stringent State Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016.

The amended liquor law will now be proposed in the upcoming monsoon session of the State Assembly for its approval. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday had declared that his government was considering over the amendments based on “people’s feedback from interaction” and an “analysis” of the provisions which were being misused by police or excise department officials.

The Bihar government has relaxed some of the stringent provisions. For instance, the provision of community fines and of seizure and confiscation of house or vehicle in the event of discovery of liquor within is likely to be made invalid.

Under the Act, the minimum provision of punishment is the jail term of 10 years up to life imprisonment; if liquor is found in a house; all members of the family above 18 years of age are deemed as guilty.

Aligning to the feedback from the people, the Chief Minister said that the government will not only enact and enforce laws but also review their efficacy through ground-level studies and feedback from various sections. A committee of officials is reviewing the provisions of the law currently and very soon there will be an official version of it.

Bihar had imposed total alcohol prohibition on April 5, 2016, following which manufacturing, sale or consumption of liquor was banned in the state.