Amidst liquor ban, Bihar receives hype in tourism; CM Nitish Kumar asserts liquor was never a factor

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in 2016, entirely banned the alcohol in the state, however, his idea was condemmed by a small influential lobby including consumers and suppliers, had a firm beleive that Bihar's tourism industry will fall drastically. Decision of prohibition was termed "regressive" by lobbyists'.

Bihar Nitish-Kumar Growth-in-Tourism

With such a ban, Nitish Kumar had to climb a mountain as it alone contributed 13 per cent of Bihar's total revenue in 2015-16. On the financial front, it depicted a challenge which burdened him (Kumar) with a hard task to not affect toursim amid prohibition.

However, almost after four years, Bihar has given its answer to the doomsayers as records speak for themselves. 

On Sunday, Nitish Kumar while going in favour of prohibition said the rise in number of tourists indicates to the fact that liquor was never a factor for those visiting Bihar for religious tourism.

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When NDA government came into power in 2005, the number of tourists visiting Bihar was 69.43 lakh. In 2015, a year before prohibition's enforcement, the number of tourists who visited Bihar was 2.89 crore, which included 9.23 lakh foreigners. In 2019, Bihar recorded as many as 3.51 crore tourists, which included 10.93 lakh foreign tourists.

The number of tourists in the last four years has hyped up by 62 lakh, which indicate an impressive year on year growth of 21 per cent.

This revelation of tourism department's figures may have shocked those who thought alcohol and tourism go hand in hand. Bihar, a dry state with complete ban on consumption of alcohol, has given a witty reply to the naysayers' perception that easier access to alcohol breeds higher footfalls of the tourists. Howver, the facts are contrary to the tipplers' perception.

Bihar Information and Public Relations Minister Neeraj Kumar told an eminent news agency that Bihar has always been known as the centre 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.

Hence, the minister's argument proved right, in 2019 over 5 lakh foreigners visited Gaya and Bodhgaya. In addition to this, 1.8 lakh and 1.7 lakh foreign tourists came to Rajgir and Nalanda respectively in 2019. 

Rajeev Ranjan, spokesperson of Janata Dal United (JDU) argued that the growing number of tourists strengthens and supports Nitish Kumar's idea behind prohibition, which was "to create healthy and happy Bihar free from the ill-effects of alcohol. Maintaining prohibition in the state will only bring prosperity in Bihar and will not take it down. That's exactly what has happened."

Asian Development Research Institute conducted a study which states that prohibition has also helped Bihar's rural folks save enough and spend wisely. Following prohibition, Bihar has also witnessed a rise in sale of expensive Sarees by 1,751%, whereas consumption of honey and cheese have gone up by 380% and 200% respectively.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has also insisted that his government's primary concern was to help people of Bihar acquire better health and growth. He quoted a WHO survey report to highlight the perils of liquor. "About 5.3% of the 30 lakh deaths worldwide have been caused by consumption of alcohol and 13.5 % of them were in the age group of 20-39 years. Similarly, liquor contributed to about 18 % of the total suicides followed by 27% deaths in road accidents worldwide," the CM said.

CM Nitish Kumar further added, "Liquor has been found as the reason for liver cancer in 48% cases and for mouth cancer in 26% cases. In addition to this, around 26% bronchitis cancer cases were due to liquor consumption. Other health-related problems such as hyper tension and breast cancer were also caused by liquor consumption."

"Prohibition has brought in a positive social change, besides improving overall health and economic status of the poor in Bihar. That's our main motto too," told the Chief Minister to an eminent news agency.

The Chief Minister has reasons to be happy because the latest tourism figures have cleared the misconceptional claims of lobbyists. All this seems to have added momentum to Chief Minister's pro-prohibition drive.


 


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