# NCAER study says Bihar alcohol ban failed to curb crimes against women 2026-08-08T14:47:53+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet The National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) has recommended Bihar withdraw its alcohol ban, saying the prohibition failed to reduce crimes against women. In a research paper titled 'Macro Perspective of Bihar's Development Achievements, Unfinished Agenda, and the Way Forward', the think tank said reported crimes against women increased after the ban was introduced in April 2016. The study also found a rise in illicit liquor networks, alternative intoxicants, and corruption. The paper, led by economist Ratna Sahay and presented at the India Policy Forum, said restoring liquor excise duty to pre-ban levels could increase the state's own revenues by 14-15 per cent. Before prohibition, excise duty contributed about 14 per cent of Bihar's own revenues. The state has also spent heavily on enforcement and anti-smuggling operations. The study identified education, health, governance, flood mitigation, private-sector development, and women's empowerment as key priorities for Bihar. ## Coverage - deccanherald.com - timesofindia.indiatimes.com Tags: alcohol ban, Bihar, NCAER, prohibition, state revenue, women violence Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/revoke-bihar-alcohol-ban-it-failed-to-curb-women-violence-ncaer/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/revoke-bihar-alcohol-ban-it-failed-to-curb-women-violence-ncaer/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.