Representative image NEW DELHI: Bihar should withdraw its prohibition on alcohol as the ban has failed to reduce crimes against women and has been accompanied by a rise in illicit liquor and alternative intoxicants, according to a research paper by economic think tank National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER).The paper, titled ‘Macro Perspective of Bihar’s Development Achievements, Unfinished Agenda, and the Way Forward’, also said restoring liquor excise duty to pre-ban levels could increase the state’s own revenues by 14-15 per cent while reducing expenditure on enforcement and anti-smuggling operations.Prepared by a team of economists led by Ratna Sahay and presented at the India Policy Forum, the paper examined the economic and social impact of Bihar’s prohibition, introduced in April 2016.Ban failed to reduce crimes against women, says paperThe paper said the primary reasons for introducing prohibition were the belief that alcohol consumption contributed significantly to domestic violence and that households would redirect money previously spent on alcohol towards more productive uses.Women’s groups and activists had also strongly backed the ban, arguing that prohibition would reduce alcohol-related abuse.However, the NCAER researchers said available data now allows an assessment of whether those objectives were achieved.“We now have sufficient data and information to assess if the ban was effective. Reported crimes against women in Bihar have not declined following the introduction of prohibition. Instead, total reported crimes against women increased over the post-2016 period,” the paper said.According to the study, the available evidence does not show a broad-based reduction in crimes against women after prohibition. Instead, it said the ban coincided with concerns over the expansion of illicit liquor networks, enforcement difficulties and corruption.The paper also pointed to increased use of alternative intoxicants, including illicit drugs.“In tandem, there was a significant rise in illegal liquor trade leading to higher alcohol consumption, increased crime and corruption, and an increase in the use of alternative additive substances, such as illicit drugs,” it said.Prohibition has also hit state revenuesThe NCAER paper said Bihar suffered significant fiscal consequences after the ban. Before prohibition, excise duty on alcohol accounted for about 14 per cent of the state’s own revenues in the three years preceding the ban.At the same time, the government incurred higher expenditure on monitoring, enforcement and anti-smuggling operations, which the paper said added to fiscal pressures.The researchers argued that reinstating liquor excise duty at historical levels could help restore the contribution of the tax to around 14 per cent of state revenues.The paper concluded that the prohibition had not achieved its intended objectives and had instead coincided with higher reported crimes against women, loss of state revenue and increased enforcement expenditure.Education, health and jobs among Bihar’s prioritiesBeyond prohibition, the paper identified six interconnected areas that it said should form the core of Bihar’s development strategy: education, health, governance and law and order, flood mitigation, private-sector development and women’s empowerment.It said reforms in these areas were necessary to improve productivity, accelerate structural transformation and create better-quality jobs for Bihar’s young population.The study also examined the state’s public debt and fiscal sustainability, and assessed the financing required for different reform scenarios. It called for a combination of stronger own-revenue mobilisation, more efficient public spending, additional central government support and, where necessary, further borrowing.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe paper noted that improvements in law and order had played an important role in Bihar’s economic recovery after 2005, when the state government under Nitish Kumar placed greater emphasis on policing, criminal prosecution, judicial reforms and administrative accountability.It also highlighted Bihar’s significance for India’s broader development goals, noting that the state is the country’s second most populous and remains its poorest.Bihar’s population is estimated at 13.2 crore in 2026, according to the paper, accounting for more than 9 per cent of India’s population. It noted that the state’s population is larger than that of all but 10 sovereign countries.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘If You Don’t Kill My Husband, I Will’: Telangana Man Uncovers Wife’s Shocking Chats With Lover‘Brahmins Joining BSP’: Mayawati SLAMS Akhilesh Yadav Over PDA’s ‘P Change’ From Pichhde To Pandit‘I Am Proud Of All Of You’: PM Modi’s Big Msg To Students At First Public Speech After CJP ProtestsKashmir Tourist Security To Get Major Upgrade With CCTV, Command Centres And Security AuditsUS Senate Passes Russia Sanctions Bill, India Faces Potential 100% Tariff Over Russian Oil Purchases’Did We Fail To Listen’: Tharoor Admits CJP Protest Resonated More Than Congress ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’JPSC Protest Enters Day 14: Students Demand Exam Cancellation, CBI Probe After First Talks With GovtSonam Wangchuk Says Wife Sought Rahul Gandhi’s Help To End His 26-Day Hunger Strike At Jantar MantarOMCs Say E20 Petrol Meets Quality Standards After Nationwide Testing, Reject Contamination ClaimsNeha Bora Inked During Jharkhand Student Protest: AISA Alleges Political Attack, Accused Detained123PhotostoriesFrom pig trotters to sprouting mushrooms: 5 bizarre luxury shoes breaking the internetOptical illusion personality test: What you spot first says everything about your hidden desiresRed or white patch in your mouth that won’t go away? 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NEW DELHI: Bihar should withdraw its prohibition on alcohol as the ban has failed to reduce crimes against women and has been accompanied by a rise in illicit liquor and alternative intoxicants, according to a research paper by economic think tank National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER).The paper, titled ‘Macro Perspective of Bihar’s Development Achievements, Unfinished Agenda, and the Way Forward’, also said restoring liquor excise duty to pre-ban levels could increase the state’s own revenues by 14-15 per cent while reducing expenditure on enforcement and anti-smuggling operations.Prepared by a team of economists led by Ratna Sahay and presented at the India Policy Forum, the paper examined the economic and social impact of Bihar’s prohibition, introduced in April 2016.
Ban failed to reduce crimes against women, says paper
The paper said the primary reasons for introducing prohibition were the belief that alcohol consumption contributed significantly to domestic violence and that households would redirect money previously spent on alcohol towards more productive uses.Women’s groups and activists had also strongly backed the ban, arguing that prohibition would reduce alcohol-related abuse.However, the NCAER researchers said available data now allows an assessment of whether those objectives were achieved.“We now have sufficient data and information to assess if the ban was effective. Reported crimes against women in Bihar have not declined following the introduction of prohibition. Instead, total reported crimes against women increased over the post-2016 period,” the paper said.According to the study, the available evidence does not show a broad-based reduction in crimes against women after prohibition. Instead, it said the ban coincided with concerns over the expansion of illicit liquor networks, enforcement difficulties and corruption.The paper also pointed to increased use of alternative intoxicants, including illicit drugs.“In tandem, there was a significant rise in illegal liquor trade leading to higher alcohol consumption, increased crime and corruption, and an increase in the use of alternative additive substances, such as illicit drugs,” it said.
Prohibition has also hit state revenues
The NCAER paper said Bihar suffered significant fiscal consequences after the ban. Before prohibition, excise duty on alcohol accounted for about 14 per cent of the state’s own revenues in the three years preceding the ban.At the same time, the government incurred higher expenditure on monitoring, enforcement and anti-smuggling operations, which the paper said added to fiscal pressures.The researchers argued that reinstating liquor excise duty at historical levels could help restore the contribution of the tax to around 14 per cent of state revenues.The paper concluded that the prohibition had not achieved its intended objectives and had instead coincided with higher reported crimes against women, loss of state revenue and increased enforcement expenditure.
Education, health and jobs among Bihar’s priorities
Beyond prohibition, the paper identified six interconnected areas that it said should form the core of Bihar’s development strategy: education, health, governance and law and order, flood mitigation, private-sector development and women’s empowerment.It said reforms in these areas were necessary to improve productivity, accelerate structural transformation and create better-quality jobs for Bihar’s young population.The study also examined the state’s public debt and fiscal sustainability, and assessed the financing required for different reform scenarios. It called for a combination of stronger own-revenue mobilisation, more efficient public spending, additional central government support and, where necessary, further borrowing.
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The paper noted that improvements in law and order had played an important role in Bihar’s economic recovery after 2005, when the state government under Nitish Kumar placed greater emphasis on policing, criminal prosecution, judicial reforms and administrative accountability.It also highlighted Bihar’s significance for India’s broader development goals, noting that the state is the country’s second most populous and remains its poorest.Bihar’s population is estimated at 13.2 crore in 2026, according to the paper, accounting for more than 9 per cent of India’s population. It noted that the state’s population is larger than that of all but 10 sovereign countries.
![Rahul Gandhi addresses the gathering during the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ program, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday described India’s youth as the country’s biggest strength, but said a lack of jobs, expensive education, paper leaks, poor access to credit and the growing use of AI were holding them back.Speaking at the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme at KP Ground in Prayagraj, Rahul told the gathering, “You are power and pride of India; when I say this, I talk about every Indian citizen.” He said he wanted to speak about “dard (pain), data, and daulat (wealth)”, framing his address around the problems facing young Indians and the economic resources he believes should belong to them.Rahul said India’s nearly 40 crore young people were its “greatest strength”, adding that while there was much discussion about America, China and Russia, “India’s youth [are] unparalleled.” He argued that the country’s future would depend on the potential of its young population and the data they generate.He said artificial intelligence was also built on people’s data and argued that this data should be treated as an asset belonging to Indians. Rahul criticised the growing use of AI in discussions about employment, saying technological changes could further threaten jobs unless young people benefited from the economy being built around their data.Rahul also spoke about his connection to Prayagraj, describing the city as his family’s home and recalling its past as an important educational centre. He said Allahabad University had once been among the country’s best universities.Rahul said young Indians were being trapped in a “chakravyuh”, with education becoming increasingly expensive while degrees often failed to translate into jobs.“Today, education certificates have no meaning in India because they cannot give you job,” he said, arguing that students could spend years and large amounts of money on education without finding meaningful employment.Rahul said the problems extended across several routes into the workforce. “All doors of employment are closed in India,” he said, pointing to a decline in manufacturing, difficulties in securing loans, government-exam paper leaks and AI-driven job losses.“Decline in manufacturing, hard-to-come-by loans, paper leaks, AI replacing jobs – all this is hurting India’s youth,” Rahul said.He blamed demonetisation and GST for hurting small industries, alleged that banks were failing to provide adequate credit to small and medium businesses, and criticised the privatisation of public-sector companies. He also argued that AI could further reduce corporate employment while young Indians were increasingly pushed towards gig work.Rahul framed these problems as part of what he called the broader “system”, arguing that economic and political power had become concentrated among a small number of people. He linked this to his criticism of large corporations, the government and the RSS, alleging that they exercised disproportionate influence over India’s institutions.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesRahul said recent student protests showed that young Indians were beginning to challenge the system. “Youths lit a light in darkness, and in doing so, changed the country,” he said.He urged young people to confront their fears without resorting to hatred or violence. “You cannot hate or be violent,” Rahul said, adding, “We will never resort to hatred or violence; will change the system with love and affection.”Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosArunachal CM Rejects Chinese Encroachment As India Assigns Official Names To 27 Places‘If You Don’t Kill My Husband, I Will’: Telangana Man Uncovers Wife’s Shocking Chats With Lover‘Brahmins Joining BSP’: Mayawati SLAMS Akhilesh Yadav Over PDA’s ‘P Change’ From Pichhde To Pandit‘I Am Proud Of All Of You’: PM Modi’s Big Msg To Students At First Public Speech After CJP ProtestsKashmir Tourist Security To Get Major Upgrade With CCTV, Command Centres And Security AuditsUS Senate Passes Russia Sanctions Bill, India Faces Potential 100% Tariff Over Russian Oil Purchases’Did We Fail To Listen’: Tharoor Admits CJP Protest Resonated More Than Congress ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’JPSC Protest Enters Day 14: Students Demand Exam Cancellation, CBI Probe After First Talks With GovtSonam Wangchuk Says Wife Sought Rahul Gandhi’s Help To End His 26-Day Hunger Strike At Jantar MantarOMCs Say E20 Petrol Meets Quality Standards After Nationwide Testing, Reject Contamination Claims123PhotostoriesFrom pig trotters to sprouting mushrooms: 5 bizarre luxury shoes breaking the internetOptical illusion personality test: What you spot first says everything about your hidden desiresRed or white patch in your mouth that won’t go away? Doctor explains the warning signs you should not ignore10 best monsoon snacks to enjoy on rainy daysFrom tiny forest jewels to giant river hunters: 12 kingfishers species to spot in IndiaDelhi must stay ahead of dengue this monsoon: Why rain, stagnant water and delayed diagnosis can turn a seasonal threat serious5 things stylish women always remove from their closetsDia Mirza’s mother’s maroon Banarasi saree is a generational love letter that fast fashion could never match7 extraordinary animals travellers can see in some of Earth’s harshest placesYour liver can repair itself, but not forever: Doctor explains when early liver damage can be reversed and what happens if scarring progresses123Hot PicksThailand School ShootingUPI TransactionsAsk Me AnythingJharkhand protestGurgaon rainNICL Assistant RecruitmentAnkur WarikooIndia Labour CodesGold rate todayTop TrendingJapanese Quote of the dayNagpur Rape CaseAbhijeet DipkeGujarat Mystery WellJPSC ProtestDelhi RainDelhi Wife MurderEknath ShindeTamil Nadu BudgetPraveen Nettaru Murder Case](https://vknewstoday.in/wp-content/uploads/1786203055_photo.jpg "Rahul Gandhi addresses the gathering during the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ program, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday described India’s youth as the country’s biggest strength, but said a lack of jobs, expensive education, paper leaks, poor access to credit and the growing use of AI were holding them back.Speaking at the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme at KP Ground in Prayagraj, Rahul told the gathering, “You are power and pride of India; when I say this, I talk about every Indian citizen.” He said he wanted to speak about “dard (pain), data, and daulat (wealth)”, framing his address around the problems facing young Indians and the economic resources he believes should belong to them.Rahul said India’s nearly 40 crore young people were its “greatest strength”, adding that while there was much discussion about America, China and Russia, “India’s youth [are] unparalleled.” He argued that the country’s future would depend on the potential of its young population and the data they generate.He said artificial intelligence was also built on people’s data and argued that this data should be treated as an asset belonging to Indians. Rahul criticised the growing use of AI in discussions about employment, saying technological changes could further threaten jobs unless young people benefited from the economy being built around their data.Rahul also spoke about his connection to Prayagraj, describing the city as his family’s home and recalling its past as an important educational centre. He said Allahabad University had once been among the country’s best universities.Rahul said young Indians were being trapped in a “chakravyuh”, with education becoming increasingly expensive while degrees often failed to translate into jobs.“Today, education certificates have no meaning in India because they cannot give you job,” he said, arguing that students could spend years and large amounts of money on education without finding meaningful employment.Rahul said the problems extended across several routes into the workforce. “All doors of employment are closed in India,” he said, pointing to a decline in manufacturing, difficulties in securing loans, government-exam paper leaks and AI-driven job losses.“Decline in manufacturing, hard-to-come-by loans, paper leaks, AI replacing jobs – all this is hurting India’s youth,” Rahul said.He blamed demonetisation and GST for hurting small industries, alleged that banks were failing to provide adequate credit to small and medium businesses, and criticised the privatisation of public-sector companies. He also argued that AI could further reduce corporate employment while young Indians were increasingly pushed towards gig work.Rahul framed these problems as part of what he called the broader “system”, arguing that economic and political power had become concentrated among a small number of people. He linked this to his criticism of large corporations, the government and the RSS, alleging that they exercised disproportionate influence over India’s institutions.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesRahul said recent student protests showed that young Indians were beginning to challenge the system. “Youths lit a light in darkness, and in doing so, changed the country,” he said.He urged young people to confront their fears without resorting to hatred or violence. “You cannot hate or be violent,” Rahul said, adding, “We will never resort to hatred or violence; will change the system with love and affection.”Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosArunachal CM Rejects Chinese Encroachment As India Assigns Official Names To 27 Places‘If You Don’t Kill My Husband, I Will’: Telangana Man Uncovers Wife’s Shocking Chats With Lover‘Brahmins Joining BSP’: Mayawati SLAMS Akhilesh Yadav Over PDA’s ‘P Change’ From Pichhde To Pandit‘I Am Proud Of All Of You’: PM Modi’s Big Msg To Students At First Public Speech After CJP ProtestsKashmir Tourist Security To Get Major Upgrade With CCTV, Command Centres And Security AuditsUS Senate Passes Russia Sanctions Bill, India Faces Potential 100% Tariff Over Russian Oil Purchases’Did We Fail To Listen’: Tharoor Admits CJP Protest Resonated More Than Congress ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’JPSC Protest Enters Day 14: Students Demand Exam Cancellation, CBI Probe After First Talks With GovtSonam Wangchuk Says Wife Sought Rahul Gandhi’s Help To End His 26-Day Hunger Strike At Jantar MantarOMCs Say E20 Petrol Meets Quality Standards After Nationwide Testing, Reject Contamination Claims123PhotostoriesFrom pig trotters to sprouting mushrooms: 5 bizarre luxury shoes breaking the internetOptical illusion personality test: What you spot first says everything about your hidden desiresRed or white patch in your mouth that won’t go away? Doctor explains the warning signs you should not ignore10 best monsoon snacks to enjoy on rainy daysFrom tiny forest jewels to giant river hunters: 12 kingfishers species to spot in IndiaDelhi must stay ahead of dengue this monsoon: Why rain, stagnant water and delayed diagnosis can turn a seasonal threat serious5 things stylish women always remove from their closetsDia Mirza’s mother’s maroon Banarasi saree is a generational love letter that fast fashion could never match7 extraordinary animals travellers can see in some of Earth’s harshest placesYour liver can repair itself, but not forever: Doctor explains when early liver damage can be reversed and what happens if scarring progresses123Hot PicksThailand School ShootingUPI TransactionsAsk Me AnythingJharkhand protestGurgaon rainNICL Assistant RecruitmentAnkur WarikooIndia Labour CodesGold rate todayTop TrendingJapanese Quote of the dayNagpur Rape CaseAbhijeet DipkeGujarat Mystery WellJPSC ProtestDelhi RainDelhi Wife MurderEknath ShindeTamil Nadu BudgetPraveen Nettaru Murder Case")