(a) whether hundreds of people die and revenue of crore of rupees is lost every year because of manufacturing and selling of spurious liquor in collusion with officers of Excise Department and Police in metropolitan cities like Delhi and Mumbai; and
(b) if so, the number of persons against whom action has been taken so far for manufacturing spurious liquor and against the officers of Excise department and police protecting them alongwith the nature of action taken?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI S.REGUPATHY)
(a) & (b):The requisite information received from the Governments of National Capital Territory of Delhi/Delhi Police, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu in respect of the Metropolitan cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai respectively is as indicated below :
National Capital Territory of Delhi
No case of death due to consumption of spurious liquor or collusion of officials of Excise Department of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi and Delhi Police was reported during the last two years. However, 44 case of manufacture and sale of spurious liquor were detected in which 55 persons were arrested in 2003-04 and 41 such cases were detected in which 46 persons were arrested in 2004-05 (up to February).
Mumbai
104 persons had died due to consumption of Methyl Alcohol mixed with illicit liquor in Mumbai in December, 2004 (known as Hooch Tragedy). Two Inspectors, two Sub-Inspectors and three Constables of the State Excise Department were placed under suspension for the negligence of their duties. Mumbai Police has registered cases against 29 persons.
Kolkata
No death due to consumption of spurious liquor was reported during 2003-04 and 2004-05 (upto January). Similarly, there was no report of collusion of Excise officers with manufacturers or sellers of spurious liquor during the aforesaid period. However, 32 persons were arrested in 2003-04 and 119 persons in 2004-05 in connection with manufacture and sale of spurious liquor and legal action has been taken against them.
Chennai
There has been no case of death due to consumption of spurious liquor in Chennai Metropolis since 1991. The Government of Tamil Nadu have constituted Rehabilitation Fund and District Committee for the purpose of reforming the prohibition offenders and launched an awareness campaign against the dangers of illicit liquor/methanol.