Nitish Govt Transfers IAS Officer Responsible for Bihar Liquor Ban

KK Pathak had gone on a leave to express his displeasure over the arrest of his department’s sub-inspector.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s government transferred nine IAS officers, including Excise and Prohibition Department’s Principal Secretary KK Pathak. (Photo: Reuters)

On Sunday, Bihar government transferred nine IAS officers, including Excise and Prohibition Department’s Principal Secretary, KK Pathak, who was the brain behind enforcing total prohibition of alcohol in the state since April.

Pathak, who authored the Bihar Prohibition Amendment Act, 2016 has gone on long leave reportedly in protest against the arrest of an official of his department who acted against a block-level JD(U) leader.

Home Department’s Principal Secretary, Amir Subhani has been given additional charge of Registration, Excise and Prohibition Department, a notification issued by the General Administration Department said.

Pathak has been transferred, but kept in waiting for posting till further orders, it said.

Pathak had expressed his displeasure over the arrest of his department’s sub-inspector for taking action against Chandradeep Sen alias Moti Singh, the Harnaut block president of JD(U), from whose house liquor was seized on 30 August, and had asked the state government to find his replacement.

As per the notification, Education department’s Principal Secretary, Dharmendra Singh Gangwar has been made Principal Secretary of General Administration Department. He will also hold the additional charge of Principal Secretary of Vigilance Department.

(With inputs from PTI)