MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI R.P.N. SINGH)
(a) to (b): The State/UT-wise number of deaths reported due to consumption of spurious
and illicit liquor during 2009, 2010 and 2011 are attached at Annexure.
(c) to (e): The production, manufacture, possession, transport, purchase and sale of
intoxicating liquors` are specifically covered by Entry 8 of List II (State List) of
Schedule 7 to the Constitution of India and therefore the States have the exclusive power
to regulate their production, manufacture, possession, transport, purchase and sale.
Therefore, the State Governments are primarily responsible for controlling the sale of
spurious liquor, prevention of such incidents of death due to consumption of spurious
liquor and investigation into the matter for prosecuting the criminals. `Police` and `
Public Order also being State subjects under the Schedule 7 to the Constitution of
India, the State Governments are
primarily responsible for prevention, detection, registration and investigation of
crime and for prosecuting the criminals through the machinery of their law enforcement
agencies under the extant and appropriate law(s), as also for protecting the life and
property of the citizens. The Union Government, however, attaches highest importance to
the matter of prevention of crime and therefore, has been advising the State
Governments / UT Administrations from time to time to give more focused attention to
improving the administration of criminal justice system and take such measures as are
necessary for prevention and control of crime within their respective jurisdictions.
