- People in the know would aver that the political class in the country, irrespective of party affiliations, wishes to impress upon the electorate through certain measures even if it has failed repeatedly to yield substantial results on the ground. However, that doesn’t stop our political masters to come out with ingenious ways to usher in measures that they think would be useful for society in general. We know how caste equations essay a significant role and the same policy has only succeeded in dividing society on these lines. No wonder, there is no dearth of voices for more reservations and quotas based on caste, class, and creed. Yet another measure meant to please the electorate but perpetually fails to yield any desirable results is the prohibition policy.
PC: Samriddhi Thakar
- Yes, we are aware consumption of alcohol is not only injurious to personal health but also affects the overall health of society as well. Innumerable families have suffered irreparable losses courtesy of alcohol addiction needs no further elaboration. On its part, few state governments have imposed prohibition policy as a measure to address this social evil but have failed spectacularly. The consumption of illicit liquor leading to hooch tragedies are dime a dozen reported from across the country. The latest Chhapra hooch tragedy in which nearly 40 people have lost their lives is yet another grim reminder of how the prohibition policy of Bihar has failed to yield intended results despite efforts to curb the menace.
- It must be said that Bihar CM Nitish Kumar’s prohibition policy is producing contrary results coming at terrible costs to lives and families. Unfortunately, far from being chastened, he has made it a prestige issue. Nitish’s statement that those who drink will die is downright insensitive to the victims; more so given that he is the architect of this law. It’s entirely unbecoming of a CM. Of course, support is waning within his JD(U), and ally RJD has been sceptical ever since Nitish implemented it in 2016 as a mahagathbandhan poll promise. The political disquiet is hardly surprising. At multiple levels, the policy has taken a toll on the state. First, there are the recurring hooch tragedies. And second, the revenue loss to the exchequer. Did someone say fiscal suicide?
PC: BHAWESH MISHRA
- Note that before prohibition, the government earned Rs 4,000 crore annually from liquor. Even assuming this figure stayed flat, that’s a big hole of nearly Rs 30,000 core in revenues over seven years for the poorest state. Ironically, neighbours like Bengal and Jharkhand have reported excise fillips after 2016, suggesting that’s how liquor is flowing into the state. Even Bihar’s hospitality industry has lost out. Unsurprisingly, a parallel economy is flourishing. The poor can access only unsafely produced country liquor leading to tragedies. Rather than prohibition, Nitish would do better selling Bihar’s success in expanding tap water connections. Prohibition doesn’t stop people from drinking and it is economically and socially damaging. Nitish should realise this now.
