Hazaribagh, Feb. 9: Birhors, a near-extinct tribal community in the state, feels that their development lies in consuming alcohol.

And, hence, a member of the community has requested the state government to reduce the price of countrymade liquor.

The application has been forwarded by a youth of Chatra district to the district welfare officer, Awadhesh Kumar Sinha.

In his letter, Sanjay Birhor, a resident of Tanda bustee close to Dhamania picket in Chatra, said that in Dhamania, the price of one bottle of country-made liquor is Rs 8, which was expensive for him and his community. He requested the officer to take steps to minimise the rate by Rs 3.

“We can afford Rs 5 per bottle but not Rs 8,” he wrote.

Sources said that the Birhors are in the habit of consuming liquor everyday despite their low earnings from selling herbal medicines and begging.

When asked, Sanjay admitted that his community members consumed liquor regularly. “Our forefathers were in habit of taking liquor. And the practice is continuing,” he added.

He said that though they do not earn much, community members first keep aside a sum for liquor and then buy the commodities of daily use.

“In my application, I have requested the state government to look into the matter, as drinking is related to our daily habit and well-being,” he said. Sources said that earlier, a bottle of countrymade liquor cost only Rs 5.

Sinha said that they were running a number of uplift schemes for the betterment of the Birhors. “We are trying to make them give up the habit of drinking,” he added.