Elite drink for good sleep, so banning English liquor may be tough: Manju Verma

Bihar Social Welfare Minister Kumari Manju Verma has triggered a controversy by saying the “elite” drink liquor for “good sleep” and hence, the state government might find it difficult to enforce a ban on English liquor. The Nitish Kumar government had proposed a ban on country-made liquor from April 1 and English liquor from September 1.

On Wednesday, at a news programme, the minister had said, “Elite people such as doctors, engineers and lawyers drink after getting tired. They drink to get a good night’s sleep. It cannot be called a drinking habit. This is where banning English liquor could be difficult.” She added that there were “categories of rich people” who drink expensive wine after getting exhausted.

Verma later clarified that she had been talking in a general context. “I have not said anything wrong. Such things have been said before,” said the minister.

The BJP, however, called the statement “self-defeating” and “unwarranted”, especially after CM Nitish Kumar had announced the liquor ban to fulfil his poll promises.