Now Reading: Lift Bihar prohibition to raise revenue 15%, NCAER says
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Lift Bihar prohibition to raise revenue 15%, NCAER says
A new NCAER paper, reported by Times of India, recommends lifting Bihar's alcohol prohibition. It says the ban has not reduced crimes against women and has instead boosted illegal liquor and drug…
The Story in Brief
A new NCAER paper, reported by Times of India, recommends lifting Bihar's alcohol prohibition. It says the ban has not reduced crimes against women and has instead boosted illegal liquor and drug use. The study, led by Ratna Sahay, argues ending prohibition could raise the state's tax revenue by 14-15% and cut enforcement spending. Bihar's debt at 39% of state GDP is among the highest in India. The paper also calls for more central transfers to fund education, health, and flood control.
The Indian Opinion
The prohibition debate often pits moral policing against fiscal pragmatism. This NCAER study, however, uses data to expose costs: no drop in crimes against women, a booming illicit market, and lost tax revenue. Prohibition has become a populist vow with hidden price tags. The real test will be whether the Bihar government bothers to respond to the evidence, or quietly shelves it.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
