Law Kumar Mishra
Patna, December 19
Admitting breach in prohibition regulations, Sunil Kumar excise minister of Bihar on Monday admitted though prohibition was imposed in 2016, it’s enforcement was a challenging job.
Talking to media persons here, Sunil, a former IPS officer said police and excise officials were acting in co-ordination against the liquor mafia. Referring to hooch tragedy in Saran, Sunil said compared to Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab, in Bihar there had been fewer deaths due to liquor consumption.
He ruled out compensation to the families of the hooch tragedy victims claiming Bihar Excise Act does not allow any compensation.
Winter session of both the Houses of state legislature concluded today with the opposition BJP and grand alliance partners Congress and three left parties demanding compensation for the victims of hooch tragedy. Their legislators protested inside and outside both the Houses.
Kedarnath Singh, RJD MLA from Mashrak in Saran district disputed the claim of the minister on casualty figures and claimed over 100 have died in last four days. According to the ruling party MLA, 60 were killed in his constituency.
A delegation of the Left parties legislators met the Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar and demanded compensation to the bereaved families who were not at fault. They were disappointed as the Chief Minister rejected their demand.
Three left parties are alliance partners with RJD and JDU. Chirag Paswan, MP from Jamui in a memorandum to Bihar Governor, Fagu Chauhan demanded imposition of President’ s rule in the state.
