Bihar Govt Hiding Death Toll Of Saran Hooch Tragedy: Union Power Minister RK Singh Supports Call For Compensation

RK Singh said that the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government is hiding the death toll of the Saran Hooch tragedy. He further said that the people of Chhapra told that about 200 people have died.

New Delhi: Union Power Minister RK Singh on Monday said that the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government is hiding the death toll of the Saran Hooch tragedy, as the news agency ANI reported. He further said that the people of Chhapra told that about 200 people have died. According to people, liquor is available so easily, he added.

"Bihar government is hiding the death toll of Saran Hooch tragedy, people of Chhapra told us that about 200 have died and bodies were burned just like that. According to people, liquor is available so easily, so why is no action against this?," RK Singh told ANI. Singh launched a scathing attack on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and said that his government implemented a law and could not enforce it properly. He further asked that how many of those who make spurious liquor are in jail.

"Nitish Kumar’s government implemented a law, and they can’t even enforce it properly. Those people who are in jail over the ban on liquor are poor ones, those who make such spurious liquor, how many of them are in jail? ANI quoted Singh as saying.

RK Singh alleged that the tragedy happened because of the administration's negligence, so they are liable to pay. This tragedy happened because of negligence from the administration so they’re liable to pay the compensation, Nitish Kumar can’t deny that," RK Singh told ANI.

Last week on Friday, Nitish Kumar said no compensation will be given if a person dies after consuming spurious liquor. The Chief Minister's remark comes amid severe criticism from the Opposition, led by the BJP, in the wake of the rising hooch deaths in the Chhapra district.

Bihar Excise Minister Sunil Kumar on Monday said that raids are being conducted at various places to nab all the accused including non-FIR accused, especially the supplier and manufacturer. As per evidence found so far, we're also awaiting postmortem report. We'll then take further action, he added.

"Raids being conducted at various places so that all accused and non-FIR accused can be nabbed, especially the supplier and manufacturer. As per evidence found so far, we're also awaiting postmortem report. We'll then take further action, Sunil Kumar said. Defending the liquor ban in Bihar, Kumar said that from 2016 to 2022, deaths (due to liquor) in Bihar is much less than that in other states.

"From 2016 to 2022, deaths (due to liquor) in Bihar is much less than that in other states. Over 1200 deaths reported in MP with no liquor ban. Over 700 deaths were reported in Karnataka. Hundreds of such deaths reported in UP. Deaths reported in Uttarakhand too," Kumar said.

"As per the survey by Chanakya National Law University, it is clear that more than 80% of the people, especially women, support it (the liquor ban in Bihar)," he also said. The death toll in Bihar's Chhapra due to the consumption of spurious liquor mounted to 65 on Sunday, ANI reported. The incident was initially reported last week on Wednesday.

(With ANI Inputs)