Mamata Government Lifts 116-Year-Old Ban, Amends 1909 Excise Act, Sparking Concerns Over Women's Safety

Kolkata: In a significant move this week, the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government passed the West Bengal Finance Bill 2025, which includes amendments to the Bengal Excise Act of 1909. Among the key changes, the government has lifted the long-standing ban on women working in bars, a provision that has previously been criticised for its discriminatory nature.

However, the amendment to the Bill has now sparked concern over safety issues in the state, especially after the RG Kar Hospital case where a 31-year-old trainee doctor was raped and brutally murdered while she was on a night shift.

Also read | Doctor Demanding Justice For RG Kar Rape-Murder Victim Transferred by Mamata Govt

The bill, introduced by Minister of State Chandrima Bhattacharya, was passed by the state Assembly on Wednesday. Its purpose is to modernize the Bengal Excise Act, bringing it in line with current legal frameworks and addressing regulatory needs within the state’s excise industry.

One of the most noteworthy amendments is the removal of the prohibition on employing women in ON-category liquor establishments, such as bars and pubs. The bill justifies this change by stating that the restriction was “discriminatory” and needed to be removed.

TMC Govt Amends 1909 Excise Act

The amendment to the Bill by the TMC also includes changes in India's legal landscape, particularly the replacement of the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Penal Code with the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, respectively. Consequently, the Bengal Excise Act has been amended to align with these revised legal codes.

Additionally, the bill addresses the regulation of molasses to prevent its use in the illegal production of liquor. It includes provisions to ensure molasses is now part of the material definition under the Bengal Excise Act, of 1909. This measure is designed to prevent the overlapping of regulations with the West Bengal Molasses Control Act, of 1973, while simultaneously making the use of molasses for illicit liquor manufacturing a penal offence.

The bill also introduces new penalties for excessive wastage of spirit in distilleries and warehouses, calling it a “regulatory measure” to ensure better management of resources. Furthermore, it extends the duration of temporary liquor licenses, allowing liquor establishments to continue operating until a permanent settlement is reached, benefiting state revenue.

Also read | RG Kar Case: Mother of Murdered Doctor Requests Meeting with PM Modi for Justice

Opposition Recalls RG Kar Horror, Slams Mamata Raises Over Women's Safety in Bengal

The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) government's decision to amend the Bengal Excise Act has raised concerns, particularly regarding the safety of women. BJP and other Bengal leaders have voiced strong objections to the provision allowing women to work in ON-category liquor establishments like bars and pubs.

Shankar Ghosh, BJP’s chief, said, "Will the TMC government provide security for women working at bars, especially at night?"

Meanwhile, Bengal BJP leader Agnimitra Paul in a post on X stated: "The Trinamool Congress (TMC) government's recent amendment to the Bengal Excise Act, 1909, permitting women to work in 'ON' category liquor establishments such as bars and pubs, has raised significant concerns regarding women's safety in West Bengal. Critics argue that this legislative change, while intended to promote gender equality, may inadvertently expose women to unsafe working conditions, particularly during late-night hours. The state has witnessed alarming incidents, such as the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, underscoring the pressing need for enhanced safety measures for women."

Furthermore, citing data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Paul said "West Bengal reported 36,439 cases of crimes against women in 2023, reflecting a 7% increase from the previous year. This has led many to criticize the lack of adequate safety protocols."

CPI(M) central committee member Sujan Chakraborty remarked, "After late night crimes, the TMC government talked of taking steps to ensure safety of women at workplace. Now it has walked in the opposite direction."

The controversy highlights the need for a more comprehensive approach to ensure women's safety while encouraging their participation in the workforce.