Question : ILLICIT SPURIOUS LIQUOR

(a) whether there have been reports of large scale production/consumption of spurious/illicit liquor in different parts of the country;

(b) if so, the total number of persons who died after consuming spurious/illicit liquor during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise;

(c) the total number of cases registered, accused persons arrested and chargesheeted/convicted during the said period, State-wise;

(d) whether such crimes is running in connivance with the officers of the Excise Department and Police Department;

(e) if so, the method of detection and details of such officers alongwith the action taken against them; and

(f) the steps taken by the Government to prevent such accidents/death of innocent persons?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI AJAY MAKEN)

(a) to (f): “Intoxicating liquors” are specifically covered by entry 8 of List II (State List) of Schedule 7 to the Constitution of India and the States have the exclusive power to regulate their production, manufacture, possession, transport, purchase and sale.

“Police” and “Public Order” being State subjects under the Seventh Schedule 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 and 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 jurisdiction.

However, the National Crime Records Bureau(NCRB) compiles data on crimes in the country on the basis of reports received from the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations. As per information compiled by the NCRB, a total of 146973, 143311 and 161685 cases were reported in the country under Excise Act during 2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively, whereas, a total of 315883, 344356 and 361940 cases were respectively reported under Prohibition Act during the same period. The State/UT-wise details of number of persons who died due to consumption of spurious /poisonous liquor during 2006, 2007 and 2008 are enclosed at Annexure-I. The State / UT-wise number of cases registered, accused persons arrested, charge-sheeted and convicted under the Excise Act during 2006 to 2008 are enclosed at Annexure-II, while similar details during the same period under the Prohibition Act are enclosed at Annexure-III.

The information regarding the connivance of Excise/Police officers in such crimes, the method of detection and the details regarding action taken against any such officer(s) is not maintained by the NCRB.