A National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) report released on Wednesday, 12 August recommending a review of Bihar's Liquor Prohibition policy has reignited a sharp political debate in the state, with ruling and opposition leaders offering starkly divergent views on the ban's effectiveness and enforcement. The report has brought renewed scrutiny to a law that has defined Bihar's governance for nearly a decade.

Background: Bihar's Prohibition Since 2016

Bihar enforced a complete liquor ban in 2016 under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, making it one of the most sweeping state-level prohibition policies in India. The law has since remained a politically charged issue, drawing both praise for its social impact — particularly on women in rural areas — and criticism over enforcement gaps and smuggling along state borders.

JD-U Stands Firm on the Ban

Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leaders closed ranks in defence of the policy following the NCAER report. JD-U MLC and spokesperson Neeraj Kumar strongly backed the prohibition, asserting that it had brought 'significant changes' to the lives of women in rural Bihar. He also noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had praised the policy and ruled out any shift to a Gujarat-style model in Bihar. 'Prohibition will remain in force in Bihar; anyone who touches it will be destroyed,' Kumar said.

JD-U MP Devesh Chandra Thakur offered a more measured view, acknowledging that completely eliminating alcohol consumption was unlikely but maintaining that visible public disorder linked to drinking had reduced since 2016. Notably, Thakur also expressed support for a policy review. 'Sometimes, there is talk of a review, and I also believe that a review should be done. Prohibition should be implemented with control, not with open licence,' he said.

Minister Signals Tougher Enforcement

Bihar's Minister for Prohibition, Excise and Registration, Madan Sahani, took a harder line on enforcement. Sahani acknowledged that violations persist despite the complete ban and warned those involved in illegal liquor trade and smuggling of strict legal consequences. He indicated that the state government would pursue legal action against liquor brands seized in Bihar — a signal of a tougher approach towards companies and networks allegedly linked to smuggling operations.

Opposition and NDA Allies Push for Reform

Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) Chief and Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, who has previously criticised the implementation of Bihar's prohibition, called for the state to adopt a framework similar to Gujarat's, arguing that Bihar's current system requires a fundamentally different approach.

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MLA Bhai Virendra went further, claiming the ban was introduced without adequate survey or assessment. He questioned the state's efforts to curb illegal liquor transportation, particularly along border routes connected with Nepal, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh, and argued that intercepting a few large consignments should not be treated as sufficient progress.

What the NCAER Report Means for Bihar's Prohibition Debate

The NCAER report has added institutional weight to a debate that critics and some NDA allies had already been sustaining for years. The contrast between JD-U's firm defence and the calls for review — even from within the ruling alliance — reflects the political complexity of unwinding a policy so closely associated with Nitish Kumar's identity as a leader. With border smuggling concerns mounting and enforcement questions unresolved, the report is unlikely to be the last word on Bihar's prohibition experiment.