Bihar bids, bottle to bangle

Law Kumar Mishra

Patna, September 8

The government of Bihar has decided to use the glass that is left after the bottles of liquor is destroyed in manufacturing colorful bangles.

Till now, the bottles seized during searches and raids were destroyed at the police stations to prevent their circulation and discourage illicit liquor trade in the state where prohibition is in effect since 2015.

However, now the state government, which uses JCB machines to crush liquor bottles, has decided to recycle the glasses from these same bottles and use them in manufacturing bangles. Now, the taste of these liquor will be felt on the wrists of women as bangles manufactured from the liquor bottles would be made available to them. 

The state government recently entered into an agreement with a bangle manufacturing company of Uttar Pradesh to train local women on how to manufacture glass bangles made from liquor bottles. This will not only bring income to the women, but it will also aid in recycling of the bottles and add value to the waste through fancy bangles.

State excise and prohibition commissioner . Kartikeya Dhanji said the women engaged with the Livelihood Mission (Jivika) would be engaged in bangle manufacturing units and they would be supplied powdered glass of liquor bottles and other raw materials that is needed to produce bangles.

As per officials, the Chief executive Officer of Livelihood Mission has been allocated Rs one crore by the Prohibition commissioner to train the women in bangles manufacturing. A team of self help group women has been sent to Farrukhabad in UP to train bangles manufacturing units. 

The government has asked the excise officers in all districts to transport seized liquor bottles to Patna, where first such unit would be set up.  In August 2022 alone the state police had seized 3.69 lakh litres of liquor and arrested 31150 people 

Officials  claimed despite a total prohibition in the state ,liquor reaches those who desire it through smuggling from other states and international borders through Nepal, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh.