Welcoming modifications, Bihar Assembly passes amendments to Prohibition Law

Patna, July 24: With Monsoon Session running speedily in the Parliament, the Bihar Assembly also saw similar discussions and the assembly has passed a bill to amend some of the stringent provisions of the Prohibition Law in order to prevent its misuse and make the quantum of punishment proportionate to the nature of the offense.

Eventually, the amendments in the liquor law come more than two years after total alcohol prohibition was enforced in the state on April 5, 2016. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, while discussing the amendments after the tabling of the Bill in the Assembly on Monday, said, "The amendments have been brought after looking into the practical aspects of it, so that the law is not misused, the punishment is proportionate to the offence committed and no innocent person gets victimised."

Earlier, under the prohibition law, the quantum of sentence was for a five-year prison term, in addition to a 1 lakh rupees fine, for those consuming liquor or caught in an inebriated state. Now, first-time offenders will have to pay a fine of 50,000 rupees, failing which, they will have to undergo a prison term of three months.

Also, the first offense under the Bihar liquor law was non-bailable which has now been made bailable. Those violating the law for the second time and more will be liable to 10 years of imprisonment and a fine of five lakh rupees.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed surprise over the opposition walkout as all the parties had given a unanimous support when prohibition was introduced in the state and participated in a massive human chain formed last year against the liquor menace.