220 killed in liquor tragedy in Orissa since 1989

Bhubaneswar, Nov 14 (UNI) Altogether 220 people were killed in various liquor tragedies in Orissa since 1989, Minister of State for Excise Debi Prasad Mishra told the state assembly today.

To the question of Congress member Ulka Ramchandra, the Minister said in Ganjam district alone, 29 people were killed in Rambha and Golabandha villages during 2006 Mr Mishra said of them, 19 people died under Rambha police station in March 2006, another ten were killed in Golabandha village under Gopalpur police station in Ganjam district.

He said while 14 of the 19 killed in Rambha and nine out of ten died in Golabandh were paid ex-gratia from the Red Cross, the remaining six people were not provided with any ex-gratia as the cause of death could not be ascertained.

Mr Mishra claimed that besides Ganjam district, the spurious liquor tragedy casualty was not reported from any district in the state. He said the culprits involved in the Ganjam liquor tragedy were not punished as the cases lodged against them were still pending before the court.

The Minister said tenure of Justice P K Patra Commission inquiring the Ganjam liquor tragedy had been extended for further six months to February 4,2007, after completion of the stipulated three-month inquiry.

Responding to the allegation of Congress members L B Mohapatra and BJD member Pradip Maharathi, Mr Mishra said the new amendment in the Excise Act had been implemented in the state to make the liquor tragedy case as a non-bailable offence.

UNI DP SJC/VA PM1705