Bihar: The Bihar government has proposed a novel way to create awareness about prohibition of liquor. The State Education department has decided to take an oath from the fathers of 73,000 students of primary and secondary schools of quitting liquor.
“Since a commitment is made to a son or a daughter, this declaration (by the fathers) could be very effective in enforcing the liquor ban in the state,” said Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday.
The first phase of Bihar’s liquor ban prohibits the sale of country-made and spiced alcohol. It will come into effect from 1 April. He also said that Bihar will not replicate liquor ban model of other states as there are hardly any successful ones.
“There will be many hurdles,” said Nitish. “Let people criticise us, but they cannot know from Patna what kind of social churning this upcoming liquor ban has already started in rural parts of Bihar. This will prove a big tool for women’s empowerment. We are engaging students because it would psychologically put pressure on the parents once they would give in writing to their children that they would not drink.”
