The JDU, which is contesting 46 Assembly seats in Jharkhand, has promised phase-wise prohibition in the state in its election manifesto released on Thursday.

“Prohibition in Jharkhand is our priority. But given the condition that local brews are the main source of livelihood of a large number of people in Jharkhand, we have decided to enforce prohibition in a phase-wise manner,” said state party president Salkhan Murmu.

If voted to power the party will run special livelihood programme for people associated with this business so that they switch over to other occupations, he said. “To such families the government will give Rs 10,000 per month as sustenance amount for a period of two years so that they switch over their occupation.”

The party rejected the land bank concept and said 28 defunct public sector undertakings should be revived first.