Why India's poorest state continues to struggle with illegal alcohol sales

Bihar, India's poorest state, still grapples with illegal alcohol sales despite implementing a ban nine years ago. Enforcement gaps, collusion between authorities and liquor makers, and porous borders with neighboring states contribute to the smuggling and production of illicit liquor. While more than 650,000 people have been convicted for violating the ban, alcohol remains widely available in the black market, reflecting the challenges of enforcing prohibition in Bihar.