'The world's longest human chain'
Bihar has claimed to have formed the world's largest human chain to reaffirm commitment towards liquor ban. The chain was billed as a social message against addiction, and specifically in favour of prohibition. Over three crore people participated in the chain, stretching 11,400 km in all the 38 districts of the State.
Bihar prohibition and excise act, 2016:
This is a new and more stringent liquor-ban law with provisions such as arrest of all adults in the family if anyone consumes or stores alcohol.
- It aims to ensure that the ban on sale and consumption of alcohol, including Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL), continues in Bihar.
- Those flouting the ban face up to 10 years in jail, a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh and there is also a provision to confiscate the house or premises where liquor is stored or drunk.
- Though in a rare case, it also prescribes death penalty if people die after consuming hooch.
- Enforcement of the new law, calculated to impose prohibition in a holistic manner, would repeal the previous excise laws in the state.