The Nitish Kumar government declared Bihar a dry State while imposing total prohibition on the sale and consumption of liquor, both country-made and Indian-Made Foreign Liquor, with immediate effect. Earlier, following an excise amendment law, the ban on country-made liquor had become effective across the State from April 1. The government will stick to the 1991 guidelines on the sale and consumption of toddy. Army cantonment areas would be exempt as they regulate sale and consumption of alcohol in their own way.

• Earlier, the Bihar government had banned sale and consumption of country-made liquor across the State from April 1 with provisions of even death penalty for those involved in trade of hooch.
• However, IMFL initially planned to be banned in the second phase, was to be sold through 655 liquor outlets opened by Bihar State Beverages Corporation Limited (BSBCL). But, when the BSBCL started opening its outlets and vends even in Patna both men and women came out on the streets in protest.
• Earlier, legislators, policemen and employees of the State Secretariat had pledged not to drink liquor and even prevent others from consumption. Parents too had given written pledges in schools that they would not drink alcohol. Bihar will suffer an annual revenue loss of about Rs. 4,000 crore following prohibition.

Did You Know?

• Bihar  in the ancient period was the epicenter of learning, culture and power.  The city Pataliputra from this state was an integral part of Indian  civilization. Bihar houses the Nalanda University, which is one of the world’s oldest university and had students from across the world.
• Three major religions of the world namely Buddhism, Jainism and Sikkhism has its root in Bihar. Guru govind singh was born in patna.