Patna: A recent review by the Prohibition and Excise Department in Bihar has revealed that a significant portion of illicit liquor is being smuggled into the state from neighboring regions, including Nepal, Jharkhand, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh. The review, which focused on the implementation of the state’s prohibition law, found that domestic liquor is primarily entering from Nepal and Jharkhand, while foreign liquor consignments are largely originating from Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.
According to the departmental report:
- Domestic Liquor: 48% of seized domestic liquor was caught at checkposts bordering Nepal. An additional 25% each was seized at checkposts on the borders of Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand.
- Foreign Liquor: 50% of foreign liquor seizures occurred on the border with Uttar Pradesh, while 36% was seized at the Jharkhand border. A further breakdown of the seized foreign liquor showed that 32% was manufactured in Punjab, 20% in Uttar Pradesh, and 11% in Haryana.
High-Level Meeting to Strengthen Prohibition
In light of the upcoming assembly elections, a high-level meeting was held on Friday under the chairmanship of Secretary Ajay Yadav to discuss a stricter implementation of the prohibition law. The meeting included top officials such as Excise Commissioner Rajneesh Kumar Singh, Railway DIG Rajiv Mishra, and SSB Commandant Kumar Rajiv.
During the meeting, officials were instructed to increase surveillance at border checkposts and launch special campaigns to curb smuggling through railways. Concerns were raised about illegal liquor being supplied in railway TTE, VIP coaches, and pantry cars.
As a result, a joint raid campaign with the railway police will be initiated. Integrated and joint checkposts will be established for regular inspections, and railway stations and trains will be more closely monitored. To improve investigations of major cases, it was decided to transfer them to the police and seek technical assistance from the police’s prohibition unit.
