North India Statesman
News India Live, Digital Desk: Nitish government has presented its report card in the House regarding the complete prohibition implemented in Bihar from April 2016. Rural Affairs Minister Ashok Chaudhary, while replying to a calling attention notice in the Legislative Council, said that the campaign against illegal liquor and drugs is continuing on a war footing in the state.
1. 9 Years of ‘Action’ Report Card (2016 – 31 December 2025)
The official figures shared by Minister Ashok Chaudhary are as follows:
Total Arrests: Till now on charges of violation of prohibition law more than 16 lakhs People have been arrested.
Confiscation of Liquor: almost across the state 4.5 crore liters (450 lakh litres) Illegal liquor has been seized.
Cases filed: Total during this period More than 10 lakh FIRs Have been registered.
Seizure of vehicles: used in liquor smuggling 1.60 lakh vehicles Has been taken into custody by the police.
2. Government’s concern over ‘Dry Addiction’
In the House, the question was raised by JDU MLC Ravindra Prasad Singh on the increasing trend of drugs like ‘thinner’ and ‘solution’ among children. On this the minister said:
New threat: After prohibition, smuggling of ‘dry intoxicants’ (ganja, opium, cough syrup) has increased in the state.
Seizure: in the last years 15,800 kg ganja240 kg opium, 350 kg hashish and 40,000 liters of cough syrup Has been recovered.
awareness campaign: The government is now considering organizing ‘lecture series’ in schools and universities and making celebrities brand ambassadors.
3. Vigilance in border areas
Ashok Chaudhary said that the number of liquor shops has increased on the borders of neighboring states (especially Uttar Pradesh), due to which the challenge of smuggling has increased.
Checkpost: 22 permanent checkposts have been made on Uttar Pradesh border, 8 on West Bengal, 19 on Jharkhand and 17 on Nepal border.
Use of technology: CCTV cameras and breath analyzers are being used at all checkposts.
Opposition’s stance
RJD and other opposition parties raised questions on these figures and said that such a large number of arrests prove that prohibition has failed on the ground and the home delivery business is flourishing. Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraj Party has also promised that they will abolish this law if they come to power.
