LUCKNOW: The state government on Monday announced that liquor mafia will be made to pay for the financial assistance provided to families of those who die due to consumption of illicit liquor.
The decision comes after spurious liquor or hooch claimed the lives of at least 89 persons in Aligarh last week.
CM Yogi Adityanath has said that illegal liquor outlets should be destroyed.
On Monday, additional chief secretary, home, Awanish Awasthi asked ADG (prosecution) to submit a list of matters linked with excise within three days, along with directions to take strict action against the culprits in cases of manufacture and sale of illicit liquor.
Awasthi said that action against the culprits must be taken under Section 60 of the UP Excise Act and the Gangsters Act.
The details of such persons against whom FIR is registered under the two Acts should be uploaded on the e-prosecution portal and provided separately to the government.
Section 60 says that a person selling or making available an intoxicating substance or adding something to a substance to make it intoxicating which leads to the death of a person, will be punishable by death or life sentence.
DMs to issue licence for sale of methyl alcoholIn cases where such substance cause disability, the culprit will be sentenced to six to 10 years rigorous imprisonment and can be fined Rs 5-10 lakh.
Meanwhile, provisions have been made to issue licences and permits for the possession and sale of methyl alcohol, a key ingredient of spurious liquor, and district magistrates have been authorised as the licensing authority.
ACS excise Sanjay Bhoosreddy said that methyl alcohol is a poison, declared under the Poison Act.
After having issued directions about safe transport of methyl alcohol to prevent its misuse, the government has now said that permits for the possession and sale of methyl alcohol can only be licensed by DMs.
“Under the rules, in addition to the magistrate, officers of the police, revenue, health, excise and industry, not below the rank of inspector, have been empowered to inspect these licenses.
A three-member nodal committee will be set up at the district level for implementation of the rules,” Bhoosreddy said.
He added that orders have been issued to keep vigil on the use of methyl alcohol and action will be taken if an unlicensed unit is caught producing methyl alcohol.
Tanks and containers of methyl alcohol have to be clearly marked and a poison sign has to be inscribed compulsorily on both sides of the tanker.
Strict action will be taken against a person found indulging in illegal trade of methyl alcohol.
In case of death due to consumption of illicit liquor made from methyl alcohol or the seizure of illicit liquor in large quantities, accountability of the local excise and police officers will be fixed.
“Gangster Act and NSA shall be invoked against those found involved in the activities of illicit liquor and action will be taken to confiscate their property,” Bhoosreddy said.
Additional chief secretary, home, Awanish Awasthi asked ADG (prosecution) to submit a list of matters linked with excise within three days.
UP: Liquor mafia to pay money to kin of hooch victims
