Patna: Chief minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday said a post of inspector-general (prohibition), having a separate wing and extensive powers, has been created for effective monitoring and implementation of the liquor ban in the state.

The IG will also have the mandate to monitor prohibition and excise department officials - apart from the cops - with regard to the implementation of prohibition.

"The post of IG (prohibition) will be under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and will have the power to take over any case with regard to prohibition registered in any police station, except that of the Economic Offences Unit, if it feels proper action is not being taken in it. It will also have the power to monitor progress in the case and oversee whether it has been taken to its logical end," Nitish said.

He added that IG (prohibition) will not need to take permission from the CID additional director-general (ADG), the director-general of police (DGP), or the state government to take over the cases. However, the principal secretary (home), the DGP and the government can hand over cases to the IG.

Nitish was speaking on the occasion of De-addiction Day that the state observed on Sunday. He said the new post will be provided adequate manpower so that it could function efficiently and could conduct raids as needed.

He said the idea of the new post came up during a review meeting on prohibition.

"Cases are registered in police stations. Action is taken, investigation is done into them and several cases are ignored too," he said. "It is okay to think that all policemen will discharge their duty sincerely at the right time, but it is difficult to believe it. So we decided to create the post to monitor the implementation of prohibition," Nitish added.

The IG (prohibition) will also keep a tab on the action taken by excise and police officials on liquor-related information provided by common people on the toll-free numbers publicised by the state government.