Krishna Hooch Tragedy: Probe Ordered

Excise Minister Mopidevi Venkata Ramana Rao, on Monday, announced that a high-level enquiry has been launched into the deaths of the 17 tribals in Mylavaram of Krishna district, who died after consuming spurious liquor.

Talking to reporters at his chambers in D-Block of the state Secretariat, the minister said that the presence of excess methane in the country-made liquor had caused the deaths at the Poratanagar and Mylavaram hamlets. However, he said, a detailed probe has been ordered to go into the factors that led to the tragic incident.

The minister said that the tragedy will be looked into by a retired IAS officer, and that the responsibility would be entrusted to a person who had earlier worked with the Excise Department.

Further action will also be taken against the Assistant Superintendent, the Excise Superintendent, and the Assistant Commissioner Of Enforcement.

Mopidevi also announced that the government will provide a job to one member from each of victims' families, under the Rajiv Yuva Kiranalu scheme.

Mopidevi claimed that an inspection team from the Excise Department went to Mylavaram hamlet on 31 December 2011. However, the officials were denied entry into the village, and that a few hours following the denial of entry, the hooch tragedy occurred, he said.

The minister admitted to a shortage of staff in the Excise Department.

However, he did state that efforts were being made to remedy the shortage.

The minister said that about 2,300 constables will be recruited to the Excise Department soon.

The government will also register cases under the Preventive Detention Act against those involved in the sale of spurious liquor, he warned.

Mopidevi said that the government will take tough action against the sale of liquor above the maximum retail prices. He also said that the government will cancel the licenses of those who sell liquor above the MRP.

Upon being asked about the report of the Anti-Corruption Bureau on the liquor syndicate, he said that the government is yet to receive the report. (INN)