New Delhi: There is a need to review the prohibition policy in Bihar because its objective is not being fulfilled, Union minister and NDA ally Chirag Paswan said Monday.
The Union Minister of Food Processing Industries made this remark in the latest edition of Off The Cuff wherein he was in a conversation with ThePrint’s Editor-in-Chief Shekhar Gupta.
The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president also spoke at length about his decision to join the NDA, the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the India-US trade deal.
Bihar introduced prohibition in 2016, with stringent checks to prevent bootlegging and the local manufacture of spurious liquor. Stressing the need for a review, Paswan said, “If I say anything, it may create a controversy. But I believe this needs to be reviewed. It should be reviewed.”
His comments come days after Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) leader and Union minister Jitan Ram Manjhi raised the issue of poor implementation of the prohibition law in Bihar.
Manjhi and Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) MLA Madhav Anand, both part of the ruling NDA, had highlighted the need for a review of the prohibition policy, pointing out that it has caused immense financial losses to the state.
I agree with the intention (behind the policy). But I also believe that merely making strict laws does not ensure things work on the ground—Chirag Paswan.
Chirag said the very objective with which the policy was implemented is not being fulfilled. “Even today in Bihar, toxic liquor is available. Toxic liquor is being manufactured. The way it is now being imported from bordering areas—people are literally carrying it in their bags,” said Paswan.
“I agree with the intention (behind the policy). But I also believe that merely making strict laws does not ensure things work on the ground. Awareness also needs to be raised. People must be educated about the pros and cons,” he added.
Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for reposing faith in him and his party, Paswan said giving five seats to his party when it was newly formed and having belief in him was a big thing for him. “PM saheb has been very encouraging. I remember him once telling others that you need to learn from Chirag how he works sincerely and studies and participates in debates…this is very encouraging,” he added.
Chirag launched his LJP (RV) in October 2021, months after a split in the original Lok Janshakti Party founded by his father Ram Vilas Paswan. The split followed Ram Vilas Paswan’s death in October 2020 and a bitter internal power struggle within the party.
The rift came to a head when Chirag’s uncle, Pashupati Kumar Paras, along with a majority of LJP MPs, rebelled against him in June 2021 and staked claim to the party leadership. The Election Commission later allotted the original LJP name and symbol to the Paras faction.
Chirag then floated the LJP (RV), and it was allotted ‘helicopter’ poll symbol.
“When the (LJP) split happened in June 2021, my mother was very emotional. I told her, ‘mother, I will get (back) everything that you have lost…when I took oath (as a Union minister) in 2024, my mother told me, ‘Aaj tumne mujhe sab kuchh lauta diya’,” he told the OTC event.
Calling politics a 24/7 job, Chirag said it is to be taken seriously and cannot be seen as a part-time function.
When asked what he has learnt from PM Modi and Union Home minister Amit Shah, the Hajipur MP said, “Dedication towards work. Before 2014, I never encountered politics as a 24/7 duty..now I realize you can’t have an off. It is a work of dedication and one has to deliver the results as well,” he said.
Terming religion as a matter of personal matter, the Union minister said to ensure progress “we need to leave aside the religion part and focus on real work”.
“The day religious leaders stop doing politics and politicians stop talking about religion, we will truly progress”.
He further said as politicians one need to go ahead only with the agenda of development.
Responding to a query on aligning good health with the food processing industry, Paswan said there is a need to launch healthier options. “It is up to people what they want but there have to be some options. I’m happy the PM started addressing it. Obesity is a chronic disorder, I push the industry to bring healthier segments,” he added.
On the issue of migration in his home state of state, Paswan said he has started a reverse migration programme called BITO – Bihar International Trade Organisation.
“I mentioned Bihar First and Bihari First. When I travel to other countries, the Bihari diaspora is so strong. It is so strong that’s why I started an organisation called BITO. Bihar International Trade Organization.
“In politics, I understand my limits. If you wait for the government, many things will take decades. Through BITO, I worked to bring the people of Bihari diaspora on a stage. They want to do something for their state, but they don’t know how. Under this, we are opening our first university in Bihar. We are also opening a multi-speciality hospital. Bihari diaspora is contributing to this,” he added.
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)
