Seer blames admin for Hooch tragedy in Karnataka

Udupi, May 21: Sri Vishvesha Thirtha Swamiji of Udupi Pejavar Mutt today alleged that ''failure'' on the part of the administration, under President's rule in Karnataka, to strictly enforce a ban on arrack had resulted in the Hooch tragedy that claimed more than 100 lives.

The Swamiji told the sources here that the administration should have taken strict measures for enforcing the ban on the sale of arrack soon after the deaths were reported. Stressing that there was a need for total ban on the sale of all types of liquors, the pontiff said the ban on arrack should be strictly enforced in the state to save the lives of poor people and labourers.

He also advocated for suitable electoral reforms in the state to avert frequent elections due to the fractured verdict.

''Like the semi-final and the final matches in any sport, in politics also there should be 'semi-final' and 'final' elections, whenever the voters give a split verdict. When there was fractured verdict, the political parties, that emerged as 'top two' in the 'semi-final' elections, should go for 'final' elections to elect a single party to form the government,'' the Swamiji suggested.

All political parties and the Election Commission should seriously consider the proposal, which would pave way for a stable government in the state, he added.

UNI