Orissa to promulgate ordinance to curb illicit liquor

Bhubaneswar,May 24: The Orissa cabinet today decided promulgate ordinance to make excise offences non bailable and cognizable under the CrPc with life imprisonment and a fine upto Rs.10 lakhs in case of any death or disability in liquor tragedy.

Briefing newsmen after the Cabinet meeting tonight,Chief Secretary Subash Pani said a new section has been introduced to provide life imprisonment in case of death and disability of human being after consuming liquor mixed with poisonous ingredient.

He said provisions have been made to empower the excise officer with police power and also apply CrPc in respect of arrest,search, detention,warrant and bail bonds.

The Chief Secretary said the stringent provisions would enable to handle the liquor mafias firmly and act more deterrent to such illicit liquor traders so that they would be scared to commit such offences.

The decision to bring an ordinance came in the wake of series of liquor tragedies in Ganjam district claiming lives of more than 40 people during the last three months.State Excise Minister Kalandi Behera had to tender his resignation following the tragic incidents.

The Chief Secretary said the cabinet decided to enhance the penalty and the fine in various sections of the Excise Act.They included penalty for unlawful import,export,transport,possession and manufacture of liquor,penalty for altering and dentured spirit, penalty for adulteration by licensed manufacturers or vendors. Mr Pani said a new provision was inserted in section 52A of the Act providing life imprisonment and Rs.10 lakh fine in case of death or disability of life while ten years imprisonment and a fine of Rs.5 lakh in case of grievous hurt.

Any other consequential injury would lead to one year and fine of Rs 2 lakh,the Chief Secretary said adding that provisions have been made to exempt the government, government agencies and Orissa Beverage Corporation for taking license of permit for production transport,import,export,sale or purchase of any liquor.

The Cabinet,he said had also cleared the proposal for enactment of a special legislation providing for the constitution of Special court for speedy trial of offences under clause(e)of sub section 13 of the Prevention of Corruption of Act,1988.

UNI