Rajhmundary, March 02: Reducing the price of cheap liquor, decrease in excise duty and selling cheap liquor at the Maximum Retail Price, were some of the recommendations made by the inquiry officer from the Excise department who probed the hooch tragedy that took place in January in East godavari district. As many as 18 persons lost their lives and another seven their eyesight in the tragedy.
Soon after the illicit liquor tragedy, Excise Commisioner Hiralal Samaria has appointed Enforcement Joint Commissioner, Venkateswara Rao, as an inquiry officer to probe the incident. The Inquiry officer submitted his report to the Commissioner with his recommendations to prevent recurrence of such tragedies.
The inquiry officer suggested that the cheap liquor price be reduced to Rs 35 UPIML from the existing Rs 50 UPIML and wanted a cut in excise tax. He wanted strengthening of the Enforcement wing with a senior IPS officer. He also recommended that the wing be brought under the purview of the Enforcement Directorate. Frequent raids should be conducted on the illicit liquor manufacturers and certain powers should be delegated to the police personnel in consultation with the Director General of Police to prevent the manufacture of the illicit liquor.
The Inquiry officer also suggested that reveiws be conducted frequently by the superintendents of police. The Revenue department should be taken into confidence to pass on information to Excise and Police departments regarding the manufacture and sale of illicit liquor. Filling of vacant posts in the Excise department should be taken up immediately.
The Excise Department was focussing more on increasing liquor sales than on the prevention of illicit liquor. As the prices of cheap liquor were not within the reach of poor people, they were preferring spurious liquor, the inquiry officer stated in his report.
The Inquiry officer visited the villages of Ganagalakurru Agraharam, Palagummi, Bandarlanka, Sakurru and Kamanagaruvu.
Earlier, the Government had placed under suspension four offficials of the Excise department in the district holding them responsible for the tragedy.
Meanwhile, no assistance from the Government reached the victims’ families so far.
Those who had lost their vision are concerned about the furture of their families.
-Agencies