Bihar NDA ministers take charge: Liquor ban, PDS, land reforms top agenda
Synopsis
Bihar's new NDA cabinet hit the ground running on 8 May, with ministers across four key departments — liquor prohibition, food and consumer affairs, revenue and land reforms, and tourism — flagging systemic failures and promising swift action. The bluntness of their opening statements signals the government is bracing for accountability pressure from day one.
Key Takeaways
Madan Sahani (JDU) took charge of the Liquor Prohibition Department on 8 May , flagging alcohol smuggling and illegal production as the biggest enforcement challenges.
Ashok Choudhary (JDU) assumed the Food and Consumer Affairs Department , warning of strict action against PDS shopkeepers found supplying less ration to beneficiaries.
Dilip Jaiswal (BJP) took over the Revenue and Land Reforms Department , acknowledging the department's reputation as a "dark cell" due to strikes, corruption, and stalled public services.
Kedar Prasad Gupta was sworn in as Tourism Minister , pledging rapid infrastructure development and linking tourism growth to employment generation across Bihar.
All four ministers serve under Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary 's NDA government in Bihar .
Newly appointed ministers in the Bihar government led by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary formally assumed charge of their respective departments on Friday, 8 May, following the allocation of portfolios in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) cabinet. Several ministers outlined immediate priorities, signalling a renewed focus on governance reforms and administrative accountability across key departments.
Liquor Prohibition: Madan Sahani Flags Smuggling Crisis
Senior Janata Dal (United) leader Madan Sahani assumed charge of the Liquor Prohibition Department and issued a pointed statement on the state of enforcement. He acknowledged that Bihar's liquor ban policy had not been implemented in the manner originally intended, identifying two primary challenges: the smuggling of alcohol from neighbouring states and illegal liquor production within Bihar itself.
Speaking after taking charge, Sahani said strict measures would be taken in coordination with departmental officials to curb liquor trafficking and illegal manufacturing. He asserted that the government was determined to stop such activities
Point of View
With thousands of arrests but persistent smuggling networks. New ministerial intent is only as good as the administrative machinery beneath it — and that machinery has not changed overnight.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the newly appointed ministers in Bihar's NDA government?
Following portfolio allocation in Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary's NDA government, four key ministers took charge on 8 May: Madan Sahani (Liquor Prohibition), Ashok Choudhary (Food and Consumer Affairs), Dilip Jaiswal (Revenue and Land Reforms), and Kedar Prasad Gupta (Tourism).
What did Madan Sahani say about Bihar's liquor ban?
Madan Sahani acknowledged that the liquor prohibition policy had not been enforced as originally intended, identifying alcohol smuggling from outside Bihar and illegal in-state production as the two biggest challenges. He said strict coordinated measures would now be taken to curb both.
What action did Ashok Choudhary warn against in the PDS department?
Ashok Choudhary warned of strict action against Public Distribution System shopkeepers found supplying less ration than entitled to beneficiaries. He said ensuring transparency and protecting beneficiary rights would be a key priority for his department.
Why did Dilip Jaiswal call the Revenue Department a 'dark cell'?
Dilip Jaiswal used the phrase to describe the Revenue and Land Reforms Department's reputation for prolonged employee strikes, corruption allegations, and stalled public services. He acknowledged many works had come to a standstill due to staff-related issues and promised to address employee grievances.
What are Kedar Prasad Gupta's priorities as Bihar's Tourism Minister?
Kedar Prasad Gupta said rapid development of tourism infrastructure across Bihar would be his primary focus, stating that promoting tourism would also boost employment and economic growth in the state.
