JD(U) rebuffs former Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi’s claimon tourists and liquor ban

PATNA: JD(U) on Saturday not only raised objection over its ally and former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi’s fresh demand for “certain relaxations” in the state prohibition policy, especially for foreign tourists. JD(U) also countered Manjhi’s claim that liquor had adversely impacted foreign tourists’ visits to Bodh Gaya and earnings of foreign currencies in the state.
“Mainly spiritual tourists visit religious places like Bodh Gaya and Gaya.Majority of them do not consume alcohol when they visit a place of worship. The number of foreign tourists has increased substantially in Bihar since the enforcement of liquor ban in 2016. Now, Bihar stands at 8th place in the country in the number of foreign tourists’ inflow,” JD(U) spokesperson and MLC Neeraj Kumar told TOI on Saturday.
He also asked Manjhi why only he talks about the loss of revenue? Why doesn’t he look towards positive improvement in the human index of Bihar? The overall human index of Bihar has improved after the liquor ban, Neeraj said.
He also said if Manjhi had problem with the enforcement of prohibition law, he should not have supported the Bill concerned in the state assembly. The legislation related to prohibition was passed unanimously by the legislators of all political parties. Manjhi too has supported the legislation. “If Mnajhi is really opposed to the liquor ban, why he joined the human chain supporting the prohibition law,” he asked.
Recalling that even PM Narendra Modi, during his Patna visit in January 2017, had praised CM Nitish’s decision of liquor ban and termed it a “courageous step”, Neeraj said and added if the HAM(S) founder wants lifting of prohibition, he should take a pledge in writing from the women members and grandchildren of his family.
While addressing the inaugural function of the three-day Bodh Mahotsava in Bodh Gaya on Thursday, Manjhi had urged deputy CM and RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav to speak to the CM for making “certain relaxations” in the prohibition law, especially for foreign tourists.
“People come to Bodh Gaya by aeroplanes, stay here for some hours and go to Kolkata (for long stay). I have also heard that a big hotel has been opened in Chatra district and all tourists of Bodh Gaya go there to stay. Why money (of Bodh Gaya) will go there (Kolkata and Chatra)?” Manjhi asked.