The CM was speaking at an event to mark the second anniversary of 'success of total prohibition', which was enforced on April 5, 2016.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday said that the state government would frame a livelihood policy for the poor who were in liquor brewing business but were rendered jobless following the enforcement of total prohibition in Bihar.
The CM was speaking at an event to mark the second anniversary of 'success of total prohibition', which was enforced on April 5, 2016.
Nitish attacked the opposition for politicising prohibition, and said that it was the people from backward and deprived sections who suffered the most due to liquor abuse. "I do not work for votes, but for voters. Those people who were standing with us in de-addiction human chain (in 2017) are the same who are questioning liquor ban today," he said taking a dig at the opposition.
The latest statistics shared by the state government revealed that the cops have carried out over 6.83 lakh raids between April 1, 2016 (when partial ban on country-made liquor was enforced) and March 31, 2018. During this period, over one lakh cases were lodged, 1.27 lakh people were arrested, and over 30 lakh litres of foreign and 'desi' liquor were seized.
The CM said prohibition had brought many positive changes in the society and cited several examples from his yatras. He also felicitated Jeevika members for their efforts on this front.
He targeted the 'few intellectuals' who associated prohibition with their freedom, and said the prohibition laws were here to stay. "Till I am at the helm of affairs, I will not retreat my steps," Nitish said.
The Opposition though has termed prohibition a 'failure' as they alleged that liquor was being 'home-delivered' in the dry state.
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