Bihar denizens splurging on expensive clothes, honey, cheese after liquor ban

Patna: Prohibition is making people of Bihar spend on good clothes and food with sale of expensive sarees rising by 1,751 per cent while consumption of honey by 380 per cent and that of cheese by 200 per cent in the first six months of the ban, according to latest studies on the measure.

The studies, conducted by reputed think tank Asian Development Research Institute (ADRI) and government-funded knowledge institute Development Management Institute (DMI), also pointed out that 19 per cent of households acquired new assets from the money they earlier splurged on alcohol.

Both studies were commissioned by the state to evaluate consequences of prohibition, which came into force in April 2016 "mainly as a response to demands of rural women who suffered because of the widespread practice of drinking alcohol".

The findings were appended to the economic survey report and tabled before the state assembly this year.

The ADRI study took stock of purchasing behaviour as recorded at retail outlets of COMFED (Bihar State Milk Co-operative Federation), better known by the brand name "Sudha".

It noted that the consumption of honey registered a significant increase by 380 per cent and cheese by 200 per cent.

An impressive rise in the sale was also recorded for items like buttermilk - 40 per cent - flavoured milk -28.4 per cent- and lassi -19.7 per cent- the report said.

The ADRI study collected data on purchase of a few other consumer items as well, based on sales tax revenues. The increase was substantial - the sale of expensive sarees rose by 1,751 per cent, expensive dress materials by 910 per cent, processed food by 46 per cent, furniture by 20 per cent and sports goods by 18 per cent.

The other study done by DMI also underscored the "substantial economic impact" of the ban on alcohol.

"After prohibition, 19 per cent of households acquired new assets and another five per cent spent money on renovating their house", the study said.

It also observed that 58 percent women feel they were given more respect and played a better role in making household decisions.