india

Updated: Nov 12, 2016 22:59 IST

Liquor companies have started marketing known brand names of whisky in 180ml tetra packs to beat the complete ban on sales and consumption of liquor in Bihar.

Sold under the alias of a popular mango drink, used tetra packs of the whisky brands can be found in waste dumps in many parts of Kaimur and Rohtas districts in western Bihar and Katihar and other districts in eastern part of the state.

Marketing the whisky in 180ml tetra packs makes for convenience in sales on the sly as the size can be easily pocketed without the telltale bulge of 250 ml ‘nip’, say those availing the offering.

This type of packing has apparently been successful in dodging the police, excise or other law enforcement agencies. While a large number of liquor bottles have been seized since the ban was imposed, tetra packs have gone largely undetected.

Sources claimed such tetra packs were being brought by rail and roads into border districts of Bihar from west Bengal and Jharkhand in the east and Uttar Pradesh in districts in the western part of the state.

“These tetra packs are a rage among the youth who draw them from their pockets and sometimes take a swig or two directly from the pack, in style”, said a tea shop owner near Ekta Chowk in Bhabua.

Excise superintendent, Kaimur, Pradeep Kumar said he was not aware of availability of liquor tetra packs. “We maintain round the clock vigil at all entry points but have only seized bottles”, he said, while seeking media help to check tetra pack smuggling.

Sources said the whisky tetra packs supplied in eastern Bihar were packed in Malda in West Bengal.

“Soon after Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes were demonetised, those who were active in circulating fake notes of these denominations switched to supplying liquor”, said a police official of Barsoi (Katihar).

Those supplying liquor tetra packs were willing to accept demonetized notes and were queuing up at bank counters to get them exchanged.

The whisky tetra packs in Katihar bore the brand name ‘Black deluxe whisky’ and were being sold for Rs 150 to Rs 200, even though the printed price was Rs 70 only.

For the record, the Katihar police expressed ignorance about any sale of liquor in tetra packs. “We have no such information. If any such report comes to us we’ll take action”, said Katihar DSP Lal Babu Yadav.