Despite the prohibition of liquor in Bihar, those caught drinking alcohol will be released after paying a fine. The ‘Bihar Prohibition and Excise (Amendment), Bill, 2022’ was passed by the Bihar Assembly on Tuesday.
According to this bill, a person caught drinking or under the influence of alcohol can be released on payment of fine. But in default of payment of fine, he shall be punished with simple imprisonment for one month.
The person caught on the charge of consuming liquor will be produced before the nearest Executive Magistrate.
If he pays the fine, he can be released. But it would not be his right.
Based on the report of the arresting officers, it will be decided by the magistrate whether to release him or not.
Along with this, the investigation of cases registered under the Prohibition Act cannot be done by officers of the Police or Excise Department below the rank of ASI. Provision has also been made in the bill to keep photographs taken from drones in the category of demonstration.
Will not tease the innocent, will not spare the guilty
Introducing the bill, Minister of Prohibition and Excise Department Sunil Kumar said that he will not tease the innocent, will not spare the guilty, assures everyone of it. The need is felt to amend the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016 to bring punishment to the liquor mafia. Therefore a bill has been brought to amend this law.
He said that 230 excise and police officers have been dismissed. Recently, a social reform program was going on under the leadership of the Chief Minister, in which it was found that there is tremendous support of women towards prohibition.
This is an important initiative towards women empowerment. The amendment motion moved by the opposition’s Ajit Sharma, Rajesh Kumar, Sameer Kumar Mahaseth and Sanjay Kumar Singh regarding various provisions of the bill was rejected in the House.