Raghuvansh Prasad attacks Nitish Kumar for incorporating tough provision in Prohibition law

PATNA: Former Union Minister and RJD’s Vice President Raghuvansh Prasad Singh has attacked the Nitish Kumar-headed Grand Alliance government for incorporating some tough provisions in the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Bill, 2016.

This bill was recently passed by both the houses of state assembly and is currently waiting for the Governor’s assent. RJD, which is an ally of the Grand Alliance in Bihar, has 80 members in the house.

“My government should reconsider some tough provisions of the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Bill, 2016. There should not be action against all family members under the proposed law. Jurisprudence is the eye of law,” Singh told ET on phone. He was referring to one provision in the Bill that every adult member of a family would be presumed to be aware of the offence if alcohol is consumed, manufactured, sold or distributed in the premises one occupies. He added his perception is that no innocent person should be jailed.

Singh also raised objection over the provision for collective fine in the Bill. “This provision should be also reconsidered,” he said. According to him, state government should hear the plea of Bihar’s Police Men’s association regarding recent suspension of 10 Station House Officers on the charge of their failure to implement the prohibition in their areas concerned.