Bihar: There was no provision for compensation, the liquor minister told the government's policy
The opposition is continuously attacking the issue of compensation for the deaths due to spurious liquor, while the government's allies Congress and the Left parties have also joined the opposition on this issue.
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Patna: The opposition is continuously attacking the issue of compensation for the deaths due to spurious liquor, while the government's allies Congress and the Left parties have also joined the opposition on this issue. Citing the law and policy, the government, which has been under attack from all sides for the demand of compensation to the relatives of the deceased, has made it clear that at present there is neither any such provision nor is it the policy of the government. This statement from the government has come when the BJP is repeatedly citing that when there is a provision for compensation in the Excise Act, then why the government is not giving compensation to the families of the victims.
Selling and consuming alcohol is both a crime
Excise and Liquor Minister Sunil Kumar said on Monday that 38 deaths have taken place in Saran district so far due to consumption of spurious liquor. He said that both selling and drinking liquor is a crime. There is no compensation for committing a crime. No compensation will be given to those who have committed the crime. There is no provision for compensation for death due to drinking alcohol.
The provision in the law was to compensate traders
On this demand of the opposition, Prohibition Minister Sunil Kumar said that according to the provisions of the Excise Act, compensation has been given to the victims by selling the property of the culprits. Whatever was the matter of compensation in Gopalganj in 2016, it was that recovery would be done from those who are guilty in the case. Gopalganj district is in the process of recovery, but at present the government does not have any such plan. Minister Sunil Kumar has said that there is no mention anywhere that the government will give compensation to those who die after drinking alcohol.
Liquor ban implemented with the support of all parties
Liquor Prohibition Department Minister Sunil Kumar said that when the prohibition law was being implemented in Bihar, all parties including the BJP had supported it. Since the implementation of the prohibition law, more than 230 personnel have been dismissed so far. Action is fixed against those who will be guilty in the spurious liquor case in the future. The government is getting the matter investigated by senior officials and whatever necessary steps will be taken after the investigation report comes.