(Image source from: Amidst U-turn rumours Bihar CM reassures liquor ban})

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has once again expressed his government's firm commitment to impose the liquor ban from April 1st next year, but did not clarify whether prohibition will be limited to country made liquor or also include Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL). Though he announced that alcohol will be banned in Bihar from April 1 next year, some reports said that the ban will be limited only to country-made liquor."There is no confusion in the mind of the government. Liquor ban will come in Bihar from April 1, 2016," Kumar said.

"Everything will be there in the new Liquor policy," he said. "Much before April 1, 2016 after seeing every aspect which includes agreement with liquor companies, a policy would be announced," he said.  "Our commitment to implement prohibition from April 1, 2016 is firm and it will be implemented in every condition," he said.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said that, "I know people will say that even after banning liquor it will be sold illegally, if it happens then we will deal with that strongly."

“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,” JD (U)’s Ajay Alok said.

“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 said.

A 'total' ban on all kinds of liquor starting April 1, 2016 and not just on country-made liquor as some reports had suggested earlier, said Excise and Prohibition Minister Abdul Jalil Mastan.

By Premji