Panel to probe U’khand hooch tragedy

Dehradun, February 12 

Over 70 people had died killed in Uttarakhand and  Uttar Pradesh after consuming spurious liquor. At least 36 people died in Uttarakhand alone.

Opposition leaders rushed into the Well of the House and raised anti-government slogans. They also sought resignations of Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat and Excise Minister Prakash Pant over the issue.

The Opposition also alleged that Rawat and his Cabinet colleagues did not deem it important to visit the families of the victims, who were mostly Scheduled Caste labourers.

Leader of Opposition Indira Hridayesh said the ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh announced by the state government for kin of the deceased was not enough.

“In some cases, poor women have lost both their husbands and sons and don’t know how to keep their hearths burning. They are in need of immediate financial help. If the ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh reaches them after the viscera report, wouldn’t it defeat the purpose?” she asked.

Speaker Prem Chand Aggrawal intervened to announce that an in-house committee will be constituted to look into the incident. He said the members of the panel will be announced later. PTI