Liquor prohibition law will be more strict: Violence against wives halved in 5 years after implementation in Bihar, crime increased by 12 percent in the country

Violence against women and domestic violence has decreased since the implementation of the prohibition law in Bihar. Now the state government is preparing to improve this law further. Nitish government is going to make changes in the prohibition law to make it more effective. The Chief Minister, presiding over the cabinet on Tuesday, approved the draft Prohibition and Excise (Amendment) Act-2022. Now the process of getting it approved in the Legislature will start. The state government has taken this step after the Supreme Court’s rebuke.

In fact, the liquor prohibition law was implemented in Bihar on 1 April 2016 after Gujarat, Lakshadweep and Mizoram. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), after the implementation of prohibition in Bihar, there has been a decrease in violence and assault against women. Since the prohibition of liquor in Bihar, there has been a significant drop in cases registered under Section 498A (cruelty by husband or his relatives) of the Indian Penal Code. During this period, the crime rate against women in Bihar declined by 45 percent, while the figure increased by 12 percent in the entire country.

According to the data of the Excise Department of Bihar, before 2016, around 2.5 crore liters of liquor were consumed in the state every month. At the same time, in that year, there was a consumption of about 5.4 billion liters of alcohol across the country.

This change is happening in the prohibition law
The amended format includes stricter rules against the sale and smuggling of liquor. It has been clarified in the amendment draft that the sale of liquor despite the ban will come under the category of organized crime. The proposal also includes a recommendation to confiscate the property of such smugglers and smugglers.

Similarly, any substance from which alcohol can be made will be classified as a narcotic. After the acceptance of the amendment proposal in the law, the trial of the accused who are caught drinking alcohol will be done by an officer of the rank of executive magistrate or above. In the amended law, a provision is being made in the amended law to be released with a fine if caught drinking alcohol for the first time. The case against liquor smugglers and big businessmen will continue in the court as before.

preparation for cracking
Nitish government is working on various strategies while working better on prohibition of liquor. Under this, the process of confiscation of vehicles engaged in smuggling is expected to be simplified, so that they can be cracked down immediately. The property of people involved in smuggling can be confiscated.

Liquor cases can be tried by an executive magistrate, deputy collector or above. The drinker will get the vine from this level. The minimum punishment for those who drink alcohol will be reduced from three months to one month. The amount of fine will be reduced.

Jeevika Sisters are important links
After the prohibition of liquor, Jeevika Didis have played an important role in the villages of Bihar. Jeevika didis of Jeevika group are continuously creating awareness among people against prohibition of liquor, child marriage and dowry system. Apart from this, ‘If you want to progress in life, then keep away from drugs’, such slogans will be found written in every street in Bihar.

Bihar was the first state where a campaign like Jeevika was started. Now it runs in the name of Aajeevika Mission in the whole country. Jeevika Didi is not behind in terms of business as well. He did 16,537 thousand crore transactions with banks. Recently, during the social reform campaign program, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had praised the Jeevika Didis and said that in 2018, one crore 64 lakh people had given up alcohol in Bihar. This time too, the number of people giving up alcohol is expected to increase further.

Women also drink alcohol in Bihar
According to the report of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), women in Bihar are also not behind in drinking alcohol. About 0.4 percent of women drink alcohol. However, the report has given figures of women drinking alcohol in other states as well. Even in Maharashtra, which is a prosperous state, about 0.4 percent of women drink alcohol.

3 lakh 50 thousand cases pending in court
After the formation of special courts in Bihar to make the prohibition law effective, there has been a spurt in the trial of cases. But still many cases are pending. The number of such cases is more than 3 lakh 50 thousand. The Nitish government has also had to hear a reprimand from the Supreme Court on this.

drone surveillance model
Illegal liquor manufacturers are being monitored by drones and mini helicopter drones in remote areas of Bihar. Bihar is divided into five zones. Along with the product department, 4 units of private companies of drones are engaged in this surveillance. It also includes 8 hi-tech drones.

Helicopter drones are commonly used for home delivery of goods abroad. High quality HD cameras were also used during the flight. With this, more clear pictures of illegal liquor bases were taken. The photographs taken from the drone were also used as evidence during the trial.