These days, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar invariably mentions his government’s efforts to enforce prohibition. Two months after the state turned dry, Kumar feels prohibition has brought back smiles. “Jinhone peena chhora unke chehare par raunak laut aayee” is Kumar’s favourite line.Prohibition has been effective because Kumar has enlisted the support of social organisations. He mobilised government employees and the political class too to take a pledge not to drink or encourage it. He has also been appealing to BJP-ruled states to impose prohibition, reminding them that it was in force in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state. If the initial success in Bihar is an indication, ‘Sushashan Babu’ may earn the ‘Prohibition Expert’ tag soon.“Nitishji is no-nonsense leader. Even if he fails to join the race for the prime minister’s post in the 2019 LS polls, he will be known nationally as an expert in implementing prohibition.He will find favour with a section of voters who favour prohibition,” a Cabinet minister close to Kumar said. “In his personal life, his expenditure is almost nil. Moreover, he does not drink. So he may prefer to continue his tour across the country as an advocate of prohibition policy in case he fails to create a popular mood against alcoholism in his campaign for the 2019 LS polls,” the minister added.Those who know CM are convinced that though unpredictable, Kumar does not take any decision in haste. Hence, the experiment with prohibition may be part of his plan for furthering his political career. “He needed an issue to hit national headlines before the 2019 LS polls. His anti-liquor stand may come in handy,” said a party colleague.His government’s decision to enforce prohibition has certainly brought positive social impact in at least rural Bihar. “Initially, I was angry with the Nitish government for its decision to ban country liquor.Two months after the ban, I realised that it is good for the next generation. I am in a position to save my daily earnings,” Ranjit, a carpenter at Dumraon town in Buxar district that shares a boundary with UP, told ET. Ranjit earns Rs 300 per day. Ranjit’s story is the happiness Kumar refers to.While the Ranjiths save, the state exchequer will see a revenue loss of Rs 5,000 crore this year. The government has enhanced VAT on certain items to make up for the loss but the state’s financial health remains precarious.That may see the state cutting its spending elsewhere. On Tuesday, BJP leader Sushil Modi said that the state government may stop the matriculation scholarships. According to him, the real economic impact of prohibition may be seen in November/December. “A group of students of BIT (Patna) met me in the morning. They alleged that the government has reduced the scholarship money for SCs/STs and EBC students,” Modi said.Impact on scholarships may not be as bad as prohibition’s effect on tourism. “No trader prefers to spend nights in Patna after the liquor ban. They are in hurry to catch the last flight out of Patna airport,” rued a chief manager of Patna’s prominent hotel. According to him, there is reduction in the number of corporate meetings too.Restaurants owners too are unhappy with the liquor ban.“Although there was no bar in my restaurant, our sales had remained high before prohibition. Alcoholics used to order various food,” an owner of a restaurant in Patna’s Patliputra said. The scene is tourist spots are naturally worse.There are complaints that the Bihar Excise (Amendment) Act, 2016 is ‘draconian’. Even though the Act will not be very effective to enforce liquor ban in districts that share boundaries with West Bengal , UP and Jharkhand , there are allegations that the provision of 10-year jail for those found selling liquor has created a fear psychosis.