Hooch tragedy in Bihar: Nitish Kumar needs to learn from his mistakes

Source: The post is based on the article “Hooch tragedy in Bihar: Nitish Kumar needs to learn from his mistakes” published in the Indian Express on 20^th November 2022.

Syllabus: GS – 2 – Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Relevance: About prohibition movements in states.

News: The death of over 70 people in Bihar after consuming illicit liquor underlines the challenges associated with prohibition.

About prohibition in Bihar

In 2016, the Rules of the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act sought to punish the families of “offenders”, including fines, confiscation of property and jail. In 2018, some of the law’s more draconian provisions were amended.

However, from 2016, when prohibition was imposed in Bihar, to 2021, there have been over 200 hooch-related deaths in the state.

What are the challenges associated with prohibition?

States such as Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Kerala and Tamil Nadu have tried the policy of prohibition and understood that prohibition is not the solution to alcoholism.

In each case, the policy has been withdrawn because a) it pushes consumption underground, b) places an undue burden on the law and order machinery, c) increases criminalisation, and depletes revenues.

So, the counterproductive measure should be revoked in Bihar to save people and the exchequer.