Congress, AIFB bat for dry Bengal, cite Bihar example

Citing the example of Bihar which banned liquor in April, the All India Forward Bloc (AIFB) and the Congress on Tuesday sought to make West Bengal also a liquor-free state.

Raising the matter in the assembly, AIFB legislator Ali Imran Ramz said making Bengal a dry state will bring down crime though he conceded that the state revenue will take a beating in the process.

It will also save the state's youth and contribute towards West Bengal's progress, the legislator said.

"Liquor ban in Bihar has led to development in industry, education and infrastructure sectors. The Chief Minister (Mamata Banerjee) should declare the state liquor-free," Ramz later told the media.

His suggestion was supported by the Congress, including Leader of Opposition Abdul Mannan.

"The Bihar Chief Minister (Nitish Kumar) has shown the path. He made Bihar liquor-free despite loss to the state exchequer as he wanted to give a healthy ambience to his people," said Mannan.

Addressing the media, former state Congress President Manas Bhunia too supported the idea.

"I don't know whether West Bengal Finance Minister (Amit Mitra) has the power to do so but if Bengal can emulate Bihar in this respect, the state can be uplifted from the degradation it has suffered," said Bhunia.

--IANS

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