Alcohol Prohibition Does Not Work In India

Alcohol Prohibition in India has been a work in progress for decades. Politicians are always racing to 'go dry'. It is a popular moral stand. It has worked as a poll plank. Politicians gain goodwill but does it actually work? The answer is a loud No.

Gujarat -  Prohibition in place.
Officially, there is a total ban, but bootleggers are just a phone call away. It is said to arrive faster than pizza.

Mizoram - Tried and failed.
A ban was in place for almost two decades. Revenues fell and bootleggers prevailed. it did not have public support. The ban was revoked in 2014.

Andhra Pradesh (before bifurcation) - Tried and failed
After protests, mostly from women NT Rama Rao declared prohibition. Spurious liquor leaked from across the border. The state saw a fall in revenues too. In 1997, Chandrababu naidu revoked it.

Haryana - Tried and failed
In 1996, Haryana Vikas Party Bansi Lal became chief minister promising prohibition. But in 1998, hs party lost the general election. The ban was revoked.

Manipur - Partial Ban
Nagaland - Full Ban
Both these states have faced the problem of bootlegging.

Bihar - Prohibition in place.
Alcohol was one fifth the state's revenue. The women seem happier with the ban. penalties are imposed when there is a violation.

Historically, prohibition has never worked in India. Bihar is in the initial stages. But if it works in the long run it will be a first.