Nitish Kumar, Chief Minister of Bihar has been under constant pressure from the opposition over the misuse of stringent liquor ban law. Finally, Bihar government took action and amendments to the prohibition bill were passed in the state Assembly.
The speculations were already being made that the amendments might be introduced in the Monsoon Session. After receiving severe backlash, the government has changed a few strict clauses in the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016.
One of the amendment is that the first time offenders will not have to face jail time instead will only be fined Rs 50,000. If the offenders fail to pay the penalty, then it will lead to a jail term of three months. While according to the pre-amendment law, the offenders had to go to jail for 10 years. The fine for second-time offenders will be 1 lakh and five years in jail.
Nitish Kumar said, “If someone is caught drinking he will be fined Rs 50000/- or three months in jail. If caught second time he will be fined Rs 1 lakh fine and 5 years jail. Now the house, where liquor was recovered, will not be seized and mass penalty provision has also been removed.”
The amendments have removed the clause of confiscation of property of alcohol consumer. But no amendment has been made regarding seizure of property and vehicles of those producing and selling alcohol. First-time offenders caught supplying/producing alcohol will face five years jail time. For second time offenders, the jail term will be double.
The collective penalty on a group of residents of a village caught to be repeat offenders has also been removed.
Defending the law Kumar said, “Liquor ban was introduced for the poor people. They were wasting a major part of their income on buying alcohol. Domestic violence was high. I did this for the betterment of poor.”
Total prohibition came into force in Bihar mainly as a response to the demands of rural women who used to suffer due to the widespread practice of consuming alcohol. The state government’s economic survey report said earlier this year that the sale of several items grew manifold after prohibition was enforced.