In a strategic move ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, the INDIA bloc unveiled its manifesto on Tuesday, focusing on lifting the ban on palm wine and reviewing the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act.
The 32-page manifesto titled 'Bihar's Swift Promise' makes several people-friendly promises, including ensuring a government job for one member of every household, reintroducing the old pension scheme, and providing up to 200 units of free electricity.
Read more: While the Grand Alliance shared the manifesto, the election risk rests with RJD. What's behind the 'Swift Promise'?
The manifesto outlines, "A detailed review of the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act will be conducted, with the ban on palm wine being lifted. We commit to immediate relief for Dalits and impoverished communities imprisoned under this law. Traditional businesses involving palm wine and mahua will be exempted from prohibition laws."
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Generation-old palm wine trade families to benefit
Tejashwi Yadav, RJD leader and INDIA bloc's chief ministerial candidate, emphasized that this move will revitalize the livelihoods of families that have depended on the palm wine trade for generations. He asserted, "Communities tied to this trade for generations neither own farming land nor have alternative employment. Thus, lifting this ban is crucial and just."
Read more: Nitish attacks manifesto, claims Tejashwi is misleading on 'jobs-employment' promises
Claims on imprisonment of poor and Dalit people under the law
Prohibition laws in Bihar, effective since April 2016, have also barred the sale and consumption of palm wine. The legislation has faced scrutiny as numerous impoverished and Dalit individuals have been imprisoned under its mandates.
Dipankar Bhattacharya, CPI (ML) Liberation's General Secretary and a leftist leader, recently labeled the law a "farce," committing to a "thorough review" if the INDIA bloc assumes power.
