Liquor shops to get image makeover

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who heard from several women the ill-effects of alcohol during his election campaign and during the Vikas Yatra, also decided to strengthen the prohibition aspect of the excise department in the state.

Tackling one of the contentious issues for women in the state is the best way the Chief Minister can pay back the support women voters had extended to him in the recent Assembly polls in which his NDA coalition won its second term.

“Though thousands of crores of rupees come in the form of revenue from the excise duty, we have decided to strengthen the prohibition aspect of the Excise Department,” said Nitishafter chairing a meeting with Excise and Commercial Taxes officials.

No-liquor day

The state government has decided to designate a no-liquor day. It would also stop opening of liqur shops near educational institutions and places of worship.

“Though the meeting has laid emphasis on the need to collect more resources and generate more revenue, it was also decided that vulgar display through erotic signboards will have to stop," said Principal Secretary, Excise and Registration, Amir Subhani.
His department would soon issue an order asking liquor shop owners to replace obscene pictures with signboards announcing “drinking is injurious to health” in bold letters.