1)Gujarat
Even though liquor was banned for long periods during the pre-Independence days, most of the states lifted bans soon after India achieved freedom. But Gujarat, after its formation in 1960 out of Bombay State, continued the ban and still enforces it to this day
2)Nagaland
Another state that has enforced a complete ban is Nagaland where prohibition has been in effect since 1989. Under the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act, 1989, no person(s) is allowed to transport, sell, consume or manufacture liquor. Publishing of advertisements on liquor in newspapers are also prohibited under the Act. A jail term of three years and fine is the penalty for the illegal import of liquor into the state
3)Kerala
The Oommen Chandy led Congress Govt in Kerala introduced a liquor policy in August, 2014 advocating for total prohibition.
Now, this is a state which is among the big consumers of liquor in the country and the state government knew that the loss in revenues would be a big hit for the administration as well as for the tourism industry.
But the party’s policy was opposed aggressively by bar owners who feared a loss in employment.
The fight between the government and the powerful bar owners lobby even led to a major scandal in which several ministers were allegedly bribed in order to procure licenses for opening liquor shops.
The Supreme Court of India in December 2015, finally backed the state’s liquor policy restricting the sale of alcohol only to five-star hotels and establishments.
More than 700 bars were shut down in the wake of the policy.
4)Lakshwadeep
This is one union territory where liquor is not widely available and a complete ban is in place
States that have experimented with liquor bans
Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Mizoram and Manipur are all states that have experimented with partial or complete ban on liquor. But change in governments as well as a negative feedback from the public have forced political parties to reverse the decision
Even though liquor was banned for long periods during the pre-Independence days, most of the states lifted bans soon after India achieved freedom. But Gujarat, after its formation in 1960 out of Bombay State, continued the ban and still enforces it to this day
2)Nagaland
Another state that has enforced a complete ban is Nagaland where prohibition has been in effect since 1989. Under the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act, 1989, no person(s) is allowed to transport, sell, consume or manufacture liquor. Publishing of advertisements on liquor in newspapers are also prohibited under the Act. A jail term of three years and fine is the penalty for the illegal import of liquor into the state
3)Kerala
The Oommen Chandy led Congress Govt in Kerala introduced a liquor policy in August, 2014 advocating for total prohibition.
Now, this is a state which is among the big consumers of liquor in the country and the state government knew that the loss in revenues would be a big hit for the administration as well as for the tourism industry.
But the party’s policy was opposed aggressively by bar owners who feared a loss in employment.
The fight between the government and the powerful bar owners lobby even led to a major scandal in which several ministers were allegedly bribed in order to procure licenses for opening liquor shops.
The Supreme Court of India in December 2015, finally backed the state’s liquor policy restricting the sale of alcohol only to five-star hotels and establishments.
More than 700 bars were shut down in the wake of the policy.
4)Lakshwadeep
This is one union territory where liquor is not widely available and a complete ban is in place
States that have experimented with liquor bans
Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Mizoram and Manipur are all states that have experimented with partial or complete ban on liquor. But change in governments as well as a negative feedback from the public have forced political parties to reverse the decision
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