Democracy, in its true sense.

People will decide - ideate for now - the future of Bihar State Beverages Corporation Limited (BSBCL) how to be still relevant in business.

Mithilesh Mishra, managing director, BSBCL, had earlier said the excise department had asked the corporation to brainstorm and come up with ideas aimed towards their future plans.

"At present, the BSBCL is busy winding up the liquor business. We have been brainstorming but then have not really come to any conclusion as of now. Many people who have genuine ideas and the BSBCL is considering to initiate a discussion with them in the same connection. The corporation will invite people's opinion on the corporation's future and the kind of work we can do in the future. The people can suggest us the new products, which can be sold by the BSBCL," Mishra said on Wednesday.

Sources in the corporation said the e-mails of a few officials of the corporation would be made public shortly once a final decision in this connection is taken.

"People can send their suggestions then and the best suggestions will be taken up and a proposal on the same will be put forward to the excise department so that they can think and decide. The corporation hopes to start it by this month," another BSBCL official said.

Senior officials of the excise and prohibition department said the fate and role of the corporation was being discussed and the question of liquidating the corporation did not arise at present.

"Talks are on to use the BSBCL after the total prohibition now. Though a final decision is yet to be taken, the corporation can be used for a streamlined sale of Nira (fresh sap from palm tree collected before sunrise) or any other beverage. However, one thing which is certain as of now is that the corporation will not be liquidated," Omprakash Mandal, assistant commissioner, excise, said on Wednesday.

Founded in 2006, the BSBCL were sole distributors of all forms of liquor in Bihar. The corporation, formed by the state government, was able to check illegal trade to a large extent and streamlined the supply of all forms of liquor. The corporation has 31 godowns across the state. It has been said the corporation was set to suffer a heavy loss of more than Rs 100 crore after the total prohibition rules were made. The corporation has paid around Rs 30 crore towards opening of de-addiction centres across the state and has also paid to departments in order to create awareness against liquor consumption.

"The state government has to decide the BSBCL's fate. It was a profit-making organisation for the state government for over a decade. Shutting down the corporation is not a good idea and will not render a good message. The corporation can be kept intact and used for many other works," the official added.

The excise department held a meeting on Wednesday with its officials in which instructions were given to ensure strict check in all railway stations.

"It has come to knowledge that toddy is being transported in trains to many parts of the state. Hence, instructions have been given to ensure strict vigil and installing more CCTV cameras in the identified railway stations," an excise department official said.