The Bihar government has decided to ask fathers of students in primary and secondary schools to make a declaration promising they will not drink alcohol. “Since a commitment is made to a daughter or a son, this declaration [by the fathers] could be very effective in enforcing the liquor ban in the state,” said Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. However, he said such declarations will be strictly voluntary, reported The Indian Express.

Kumar also said Bihar will not replicate any other state's liquor ban model. About Gujarat, Kumar said, “Everyone knows there is a home delivery system there. In Gujarat, traders are opposing any attempt to lift the liquor ban as the current home delivery system suits them.” Bihar is going to impose a ban on country-made liquor from April 1.

“Traders from neighbouring states like Jharkhand are thinking that they will earn more from liquor sales after the ban is enforced in Bihar. But we are working on a method of policing to stop pilferage of liquor from there,” Kumar said. The second phase is likely to begin in September.