Has the alcohol ban imposed in 2016 turned Bihar into a land of milk and honey, and helped reduce crime rates? Two early studies commissioned by the state government seem to suggest so.
A study by the Development Management Institute (DMI), Patna showed a 17.5% increase in the purchase of milk products in 2016-17 compared with a year before.
For widely consumed milk products such as flavoured milk, Sudha special lassi and plain dahi, the increase was even higher. The total consumption of milk and milk products would be even higher if one were to include sales by private players.
Sale of honey grew 380% while cheese rose 200%. The study also seems to indicate that drinkers have diverted their alcohol spends to consumer goods.
“Even by a conservative estimate, each of these drinkers have been spending at least Rs 1,000 per month on alcohol. On this basis, there was a saving of at least Rs 440 crore every month, which translates to Rs 5,280 crore per year,” the study said.
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