Prohibition Movements: Discussion and Policy Suggestions for India

India’s prohibition movements have a long and storied history, rooted in Gandhian ideals and enshrined in the Constitution’s Directive Principles of State Policy. While some states like Bihar, Gujarat, and Mizoram have implemented complete bans on alcohol, the broader national debate continues over how best to address alcohol-related harm without sacrificing state revenues or infringing on personal freedoms. This ongoing discussion reveals that effective alcohol policy requires navigating complex terrain between public health imperatives, economic realities, and community participation.

The revenue loss dilemma
Proposals to offset revenue shortfall
Finding a middle path
Public health approach and behavioral campaigns
The case for behavioral counseling
Scaling up treatment access
Regulatory measures for responsible retail
Implementing a mandatory retail code
Location restrictions
Expanding dry days and limiting hours
Enforcement and community participation
Strengthening enforcement before elections
Empowering local communities
Women’s self-help groups as change agents
Toward a balanced national approach

The revenue loss dilemma

One of the most significant barriers to implementing prohibition across India is the enormous revenue that states generate from alcohol excise taxes. According to a comprehensive review published in PLOS ONE, state and union territory alcohol excise revenue totaled approximately 2.25 trillion rupees (around 30 billion USD) in the 2019-20 fiscal year. The same study found that 21 states derived more than 15% of their yearly revenue from alcohol excise taxes alone.

This creates what researchers describe as a fundamental conflict of interest: state governments are simultaneously responsible for protecting public health while depending heavily on alcohol sales for their financial stability. Policy analysts at Drishti IAS note that states like Maharashtra collected approximately Rs 11,000 crore in liquor revenues in April 2020, illustrating how difficult it is for governments to ignore this income stream.

Proposals to offset revenue shortfall

Proponents of prohibition argue that the revenue gap can be addressed through several complementary strategies. These include implementing austerity measures across government departments, downsizing administrative structures, reducing non-essential defense expenditures, and seeking compensation from the Union Government for revenue losses incurred during prohibition implementation.

Historical examples demonstrate both the challenges and possibilities. Kerala banned arrack in 1996, but later the Left Democratic Front government reversed parts of the prohibition in 2017, citing heavy losses in state revenue and a sharp decrease in tourism. Similarly, Andhra Pradesh experimented with prohibition in the 1990s but lifted it due to enforcement challenges and fiscal pressures. These experiences suggest that sustainable prohibition requires comprehensive planning for alternative revenue sources.

Finding a middle path

Many policy experts advocate for a balanced approach that lies between complete prohibition and unfettered permissiveness. This middle path recognizes that while alcohol causes significant harm, outright bans often lead to unintended consequences including bootlegging, consumption of toxic illicit liquor, and the growth of organized crime networks. A policy analysis emphasizes that policymakers should focus on framing laws that encourage responsible behavior and compliance rather than pursuing absolute prohibition.

Public health approach and behavioral campaigns

Given alcohol’s potential for misuse and its association with chronic health problems, there is growing recognition that India needs rational policies grounded in public health principles. The need for Screening and Brief Intervention (SBI) has been highlighted as a crucial strategy to bridge the healthcare gap for problematic alcohol use.

The case for behavioral counseling

Research demonstrates that brief psychological interventions can effectively reduce harmful drinking. A landmark randomized controlled trial published in The Lancet tested a program called Counselling for Alcohol Problems (CAP) delivered by lay counselors in primary health centers across Goa, India. The study found that such interventions, typically lasting between 5 to 30 minutes, can help individuals understand how their alcohol use puts them at risk and encourage them to reduce or stop drinking.

The public health approach emphasizes education and awareness rather than solely punitive measures. Developed nations have adopted behavioral counseling programs that educate citizens about the consequences of excessive alcohol intake, helping them make informed lifestyle choices. India could benefit from similar campaigns that combine health warnings with accessible counseling services.

Scaling up treatment access

Currently, only about one in five individuals with problematic alcohol use in India can access professional help. Research on psychosocial interventions suggests that making evidence-based treatments available in communities and closer to people’s homes could significantly reduce this treatment gap. Interventions like Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, when delivered by trained non-specialist health workers, offer scalable solutions for a country facing severe shortages of mental health professionals.

Regulatory measures for responsible retail

Beyond prohibition debates, there is substantial room for regulatory reforms that could reduce alcohol-related harm while maintaining legal sales. These measures focus on controlling where, when, and to whom alcohol can be sold.

Implementing a mandatory retail code

One key suggestion involves creating a comprehensive code for alcohol retailing to curb the irresponsible expansion of outlets, particularly informal establishments sometimes called “belt shops” that operate with minimal oversight. Analysis of state excise policies reveals that only 14 of 33 examined states regulate alcohol outlet density, meaning many areas have no limits on how many liquor shops can cluster in a neighborhood.

Location restrictions

Restricting liquor outlets near sensitive locations is another important strategy. While many state excise acts include “distance from” regulations prohibiting alcohol sales near schools and religious institutions, enforcement varies widely. Some states like Odisha have introduced geofencing around educational zones to restrict alcohol delivery near schools and colleges. Strengthening and standardizing these location-based restrictions across all states could help protect vulnerable populations, particularly youth.

Expanding dry days and limiting hours

Dry days are observed nationwide on major occasions including Republic Day, Independence Day, and Gandhi Jayanti, when alcohol sales are prohibited. Many states also observe additional dry days during religious festivals and elections. Policy suggestions include expanding the number of dry days to include paydays and major festivals when alcohol consumption traditionally spikes, as well as limiting the operating hours of liquor shops to reduce overall consumption opportunities.

Enforcement and community participation

Even the best-designed policies are ineffective without proper enforcement. India’s experience with prohibition reveals persistent challenges including smuggling, bootlegging, and the production of dangerous illicit liquor that has caused numerous deaths.

Strengthening enforcement before elections

Effective enforcement of existing laws against illicit liquor is particularly crucial during election periods. Prohibited days are declared for 48 hours prior to polling and on counting days for major elections. However, critics argue that alcohol-induced voting manipulation remains a concern, requiring more robust enforcement mechanisms and stricter penalties for violations during the electoral period.

Empowering local communities

Perhaps the most promising suggestion involves devolving power to local communities, especially women’s self-help groups, to decide on licensing vendors and shop locations through local referenda. This approach supplements government regulation with community-based participatory methods that have proven effective in various grassroots movements.

The anti-arrack movement of Andhra Pradesh in the early 1990s stands as a powerful example of women-led community action. What began as literacy program discussions among rural women evolved into a statewide movement that successfully pressured the government to ban arrack production and sale. Women recognized that locally-made cheap liquor was devastating family incomes and fueling domestic violence, and they organized collectively to demand change.

Women’s self-help groups as change agents

Women’s self-help groups across India have emerged as powerful catalysts for social change, including efforts to end liquor brewing in many villages. These collectives have not only improved women’s economic positions but have also addressed social issues like alcohol abuse through community vigilance and collective action. In states like Rajasthan, rural women have successfully organized referenda to close liquor shops in their villages, demonstrating that local democracy can be an effective tool for addressing alcohol-related harm.

Reports from various states indicate that where women’s groups actively participate in decisions about liquor vending, significant reductions in consumption and related social problems have followed. A key policy recommendation emerging from these experiences is that when more than half the residents of a village submit a signed application requesting the withdrawal of a liquor vend, the government should accept it immediately.

Toward a balanced national approach

India’s fragmented approach to alcohol policy, with each state implementing its own regulations, has created significant disparities in how citizens experience alcohol-related harms. While the Constitution’s Article 47 directs states to endeavor toward prohibition, the practical reality involves balancing this ideal against economic considerations, enforcement capabilities, and respect for individual freedoms.

Moving forward, a comprehensive national policy framework that combines evidence-based harm reduction strategies, community participation, and realistic revenue alternatives offers the most promising path. Such an approach would recognize that there is no single solution but rather a combination of measures including public health campaigns, regulatory controls, enforcement improvements, and empowered local communities working together toward reducing alcohol-related harm across the nation.

What do you think? Can India strike an effective balance between protecting public health and respecting individual choices regarding alcohol? How might grassroots community movements be better integrated into formal policy frameworks to address alcohol-related harms in your region?

References

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Prohibition Movements: Discussion and Policy Suggestions for India

Table of Contents

The revenue loss dilemma 🔗

Proposals to offset revenue shortfall 🔗

Finding a middle path 🔗

Public health approach and behavioral campaigns 🔗

The case for behavioral counseling 🔗

Scaling up treatment access 🔗

Regulatory measures for responsible retail 🔗

Implementing a mandatory retail code 🔗

Location restrictions 🔗

Expanding dry days and limiting hours 🔗

Enforcement and community participation 🔗

Strengthening enforcement before elections 🔗

Empowering local communities 🔗

Women’s self-help groups as change agents 🔗

Toward a balanced national approach 🔗