Liquor sale increases in UP’s Ballia district after ban in Bihar

Bihar became a completely ‘dry state’ last month, banning sale and consumption of all kinds of liquor in a move seen as fulfillment of a poll promise to women by chief minister Nitish Kumar.

Ballia district of Uttar Pradesh has witnessed a record growth in liquor sale following prohibition in neighbouring Bihar, an excise official said on Wednesday.

“Due to ban on liquor in Bihar, sales of English liquor has increased by 112% while beer sale has risen by 36% in April,” District Excise officer Bhavan Singh said.

The Bharauli area of the district, which is on Bihar border, has witnessed steep rise in sale of English liquor by 312%, 25% rise in beer and 4% rise in country liquor, he said.

The state government has also increased the revenue target for the district this fiscal from Rs 127 crore to Rs 139.6 crore.

Bihar became a completely ‘dry state’ last month, banning sale and consumption of all kinds of liquor in a move seen as fulfilment of a poll promise to women by chief minister Nitish Kumar.