The Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced that Bihar will go dry from 1 April 2016. The announcement was a part of his pledge at an official function in Patna, to mark Prohibition Day.

According to him, the liquor is being consumed by the poorest of the poor, hitting their families badly along with the education of their children. Moreover, increasing consumption of liquor stands as major cause of domestic violence, against women.

“Women are suffering more than anyone else due to increasing liquor consumption,” CM said.

As per the information from an official at CM’s office, the decision was taken by Nitish Kumar following a high-level meeting with officials here. He declared in July that he would impose the ban, if he retains power in the assembly polls.

Abdul Jalil Mastan, Excise and Prohibition Minister of Bihar, earlier said that steps to impose a liquor ban would be soon taken by the state government. On Wednesday, Sushil Kumar Modi, Bharatiya Janata Party leader, vowed to support liquor ban. It is likely that the decision would derail the financial health of the government.

The excise department’s revenue collection registered an over ten times jump, from Rs.319 crore in 2005-06 to Rs.3,650 crore in 2014-15.

-Sumana