No U-turn in Bihar on liquor ban, says JD (U)

Following the ban of country liquor shops in Bihar with effect from April 1, 2016 and English liquor to be made expensive, the Janata Dal (United) on Friday dismissed any U-turn on the issue by the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar Government.

"There is no U-turn. The Finance Minister will clear the air on it. We will fulfil our commitment to the people," JD (U) leader K.C. Tyagi told ANI.

Another JD (U) leader Sharad Yadav said, "The government will do the policy on it. I do not have information on it."

Echoing similar sentiments, JD (U)'s Ajay Alok asked to wait for the right time for the announcement on liquor.

"There has not been any incident under the rule of Nitish Kumar which has no clarity. He has said that he has taken time till April 1st to consider the things and apply a new law. Wait for the time, it will be announced at the right time," he said.

Earlier today, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had said that he needs the support from the people, especially women, to implement the policy of banning the sale of liquor in the state from April 1, 2016.

"We want to ban liquor from the state. We want to bring new policy towards banning liquor. We are worried about the poor farmers, who have low income but they are alcohol addicts. This is ruining their family and women are facing a lot of problems and the society is deeply affected by this. I need the support from the people, especially women, in implementing this policy," Nitish told the media here.

He had earlier announced a ban on the sale of liquor from April 1, a major announcement since he came back to power for the fifth term.

Kumar had said that the officials of the excise department were working to chalk out a new liquor policy.