HC gives relief to spirit manufacturers in dry Bihar

Patna, May 3 (IANS) In a big relief to distillery owners in dry Bihar, the Patna High Court on Wednesday revoked the ban on production of spirit in the state following imposition of total prohibition by the state government in April 2016.

The high court, which had reserved judgment in the case last month after hearing arguments of both sides, ruled that the "state government has no right to ban production of spirit as it is used in various other industries apart from making liquor".

The Bihar government, in a notification issued on January 24, 2017, had banned production of spirit in the state.

Following the notification, Global Spirit Ltd and others challenged the government decision in the high court.

Bihar has witnessed a complete ban on alcohol since April 2016. The ban completes one year on April 5.

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