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Alcohol ban has zero impact on Bihar’s growing tourism

Wednesday, February 19, 2020

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In April 2016, when Chief Minister Nitish Kumar fixed complete prohibition of liquor in Bihar, a small but apparently influential lobby that included liquor consumers and suppliers, predicted disaster for Bihar’s growing tourism industry. They called the prohibition “regressive”.

 

Nitish Kumar, however, did not budge from his decision.

 

A total prohibition of liquor, which alone contributed 13% per cent of Bihar’s total revenue in 2015-16, not only presented a challenge on the financial front, but also burdened the CM with a tough task of not letting prohibition affect tourism in any way.

 

Almost four years later, however, Bihar appears to have snubbed the doomsayers, with the records speaking for themselves.

 

Defending prohibition, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said that the increase in the number of tourists is a significant proof to the fact that liquor never boosted those visiting Bihar for religious tourism.

 

In 2019, Bihar recorded as many as 3.51 crore tourist footfall. This included 10.93 lakh foreign tourists.

 

In last four years, the number of tourists to the state has gone up by 62 lakh, which is indeed impressive, marking a year-on-year growth of 21%.

 

Bihar Information and Public Relations Minister Neeraj Kumar said that Bihar has always been known as the hub of spiritual tourism. “Gautam Budha attained enlightenment here.

 

Bihar also has been known as an ancient centre of higher learning. A common tourist visiting Bihar hopes to have moments of peace and introspection. He does not come here for liquor,” he said.

 

Over 5 lakh foreigners visited Gaya and Bodhgaya in 2019. In addition to this, 1.8 lakh and 1.7 lakh foreign tourists came to Rajgir and Nalanda, respectively in 2019.

 

Janata Dal United Spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan stressed the fact that the growing number of tourists only reinforces Nitish Kumar’s idea behind alcohol prohibition, which was “to create and healthy and happy Bihar free from the ill-effects of alcohol.”

 

“The Chief Minister had maintained that prohibition will only propel Bihar higher, and not take it down. That’s exactly what has happened,” he said.

 

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