Since Bihar implemented its liquor prohibition law in April 2016, over 1.7 million people have been arrested for offences related to alcohol consumption and sale. The state's Prohibition, Excise and Registration Department reports high conviction rates and significant revenue collection despite the ban.
The Bihar government has rejected demands to review its prohibition law, which has been in place for a decade, despite concerns raised by members of the ruling NDA about financial losses to the state.
Voters are weighing a stark trade-off -- between preserving a socially driven policy and reversing course to revive revenue, restore fiscal balance, and rein in the underground liquor economy.
Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party reiterated its promise to scrap the liquor ban in Bihar if elected, planning to use the revenue to secure loans from international financial institutions.
As the election nears, political positions on prohibition are shifting.
Two police constables were arrested in Gopalganj, Bihar, for allegedly selling liquor. The constables, along with a private individual, were found in possession of 333 litres of IMFL. Both constables have been suspended, and departmental action has been initiated.
Maharashtra excise department seized Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) manufactured in Goa, valued at Rs 1.43 crore, in Thane city and arrested two persons.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has ordered the closure of 717 retail liquor outlets across the state, responding to public demand, particularly from women and political parties.
A clash occurred between Excise & Prohibition Department officials and GRP personnel at Katihar railway station in Bihar over a liquor raid, resulting in injuries and investigations by both sides.
The death toll in the East Champaran hooch tragedy has risen to nine, prompting arrests and a special investigation into the consumption of spurious liquor in the Turkauliya and Raghunathpur areas of Motihari.
Uttar Pradesh police seized over 710 cartons of Indian-made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) worth approximately 1.20 crore in Chandauli, arresting two smugglers attempting to transport the contraband to Bihar, where alcohol is banned.
Assam Police arrested three individuals in two separate operations for allegedly smuggling banned Yaba tablets and illegal liquor, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma praising the successful busts.
The death toll in the suspected hooch tragedy in Bihar's East Champaran district has risen to four after three more people died allegedly due to consumption of spurious liquor. An investigation is underway, and several arrests have been made.
Delhi High Court judge Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma has recused herself from hearing a plea by Congress MP Karti Chidambaram seeking to quash a CBI FIR against him. The FIR alleges that Chidambaram helped an alcoholic beverage company over the ban on the duty-free sale of its whisky.
Police have begun enforcing the liquor ban across Kerala in the wake of the state high court ratifying the state government's new liquor policy.
The JD(U) stated that it supported the BJP for the Bihar chief minister's post to reciprocate past support, as the new government prepares for a vote of confidence.
Jan Suraaj Spokesperson and one of the key architects of the Party, Pavan Verma, levelled serious allegations that funds from the World Bank meant for some other project were diverted for the Bihar Assembly elections by the central government and distributed to women voters in the state.
Eighteen people were arrested in Anand, Gujarat, for allegedly consuming alcohol at a party, violating the state's prohibition laws. The raid on a farmhouse led to the seizure of alcohol and vehicles.
The Nitish Kumar-led government prohibited liquor in the state on April 5 this year, making it the fourth dry state in the country after Gujarat, Kerala and Nagaland.
He said the government was also planning to bring uniformity in the height and facade of all buildings along the Grand Road.
An analysis of Nitish Kumar's tenure as Chief Minister of Bihar, highlighting his contributions to development and social justice alongside controversies and political shifts.
The party was floated exactly two years after Kishor had embarked on a more than 3,000-km-long 'padayatra' of the state.
"We respect the Supreme Court order. We will take suggestions from legal experts to see whether there can be a middle path," Sharma said.
Hundreds of kilometres of national and state highways in states like Maharashtra, Himachal, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan and others have turned into local, municipal or district roads, just a few days after a Supreme Court order banning liquor sale along highways.
An ex-serviceman A N Singh filed the PIL in the Patna high court, a day after the Nitish Kumar ministry declared Bihar a total dry state.
"Yoga is a natural treatment process but liquor addicts cannot perform it. Yoga would be irrelevant unless a ban is imposed on sale of liquor across the country," the Bihar CM said at meeting in Palamau district.
A senior CPI-M leader said there is no comparison between Sangh Parivar's demand for a complete ban on beef and Catholic Church's call for a ban on liquor.
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The Bihar government has challenged the high court verdict of September 30 which had quashed the notification banning consumption and sale of liquor in the state.
Several states that imposed prohibition in the past lifted it once revenue loss began to pinch
The latest move removes one of the key friction points for visitors, temporary liquor permits, while allowing licensed hotels and restaurants operational flexibility.
The chief engineer of the Public Works Department, however, said that the process of denotification has nothing to do with the apex court directive.
CM Trivendra Singh Rawat cancels licences of the two government-controlled liquor shops in his constituency. The state government is facing an uphill task in opening new shops in face of widespread agitation by women.
SC had ruled liquor shops licenses along national & state highways won't be renewed after March 31
A panchayat in the Jaunsar Scheduled Tribe area has barred women from wearing more than three pieces of jewellery to prevent jealousy and domestic discord. The decision, welcomed with reservations, has sparked debate about other wasteful expenditures like alcohol.
Four times more liquor has been seized in the 2024 election than during the 2019 polls.
Liquor sales will obviously be hit. So, will real estate prices at what used to be prime locations, close to major thoroughfares. Food and snack sales close to highways will also, in all probability, be affected.
The NDA in Bihar, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, strategically countered the Mahagathbandan's moves by implementing similar policies and announcements, effectively neutralising the MGB campaign promises and maintaining their political advantage.
Hardworking people who toil from dawn to dusk and beyond speak about their everyday lives and what they want from the sarkar as Bihar prepares to vote.
'I need 3-4 lakhs for the wedding. All prospective grooms demand a motorcycle which costs 1 to 1.5 lakhs, then you have to also give a bed, cupboard, utensils, fridge,' says Kamala, her wrinkled forehead furrowing with despair.
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