New Delhi, Aug. 11 -- A study by a leading research think tank has recommended that Bihar end its prohibition on liquor, citing significant revenue losses and arguing that the ban has failed to achieve one of its key objectives, reducing crimes against women.

The study by the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) was conducted as Bihar marked 10 years of complete prohibition on alcohol sales. The findings were presented at the India Policy Forum last week.

The study recommended that the Bihar government lift the complete ban on liquor and instead regulate its sale. Former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar introduced prohibition to reduce crimes against women, among other objectives. However, according to the study, the policy ...