The Nitish Kumar government today unveiled its strategy to enforce prohibition of alcohol in Bihar in phases, as part of which there would be total ban on country liquor from 1 April next year.
However, Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) would be available at limited government outlets.
Initially there would be total ban on sale of country liquor from new financial year starting from 1 April, 2016, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said after a special cabinet meeting this evening.
From that date onwards, limited shops run by government body Bihar State Beverages Corporation Limited (BSBCL) will sell IMFL in municipal and town council areas.
Kumar said BSBCL, which runs under aegis of state Excise department, would take up the responsibility of retail sale of IMFL and would run outlets under strict guideline.
He said after BSBCL takes up the job of IMFL sale, almost 90 percent of present liquor outlets would be shut down thus minimising the ill effect of alcohol consumption in the state.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)