Bihar Hooch Tragedy: Death Toll Rises to 26; Bereaved Families to Get Rs 4 Lakh Compensation

Patna: The death toll in the hooch tragedy at Motihari in the East Champaran district of Bihar reached 26 on Monday. Four more persons lost their lives after consuming spurious liquor in this region.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday announced financial aid of Rs 4 lakh each to the families of the victims.

Speaking to newsmen Nitish Kumar said, “I am deeply pained at what happened in Motihari… I know that the majority of people who die in such incidents belong to the economically weaker sections… Despite our best attempts, hooch incidents are taking place in the state and people are dying after consuming spurious liquor.”

But the Bihar CM has put up strong clauses before the bereaved families for getting this ex-gratia payment. According to the Bihar CM, the ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh will only be given if the family members of the deceased give in writing to the district magistrate concerned that the death took place after consuming illicit liquor. They will also have to disclose the source from where the alcohol was procured.

He also said the family members will have to declare that they would encourage people to quit liquor and support prohibition laws of the state government.

It may be noted that a complete ban on sell and consumption of liquor continues in Bihar since April 2016. But clandestine trading and consumption of liquor still continue in the state which leads to deaths due to spurious liquor in Bihar at regular intervals.