Addressing the Menace: Haryana Assembly Confronts the Poisonous Liquor Crisis

The second day of the winter session of the Haryana Assembly saw a critical discussion on a proposal aimed at addressing the alarming issue of poisonous liquor. The devastating consequences of this crisis were highlighted, with Abhay Chautala reporting 22 deaths in Yamunanagar and additional fatalities in Sonipat, Panipat, and Faridabad. The persistence of illegal liquor trade in the state underscored the urgency of comprehensive action.

Balraj Kundu, addressing the assembly, pointed to the pervasive influence of the liquor mafia across Haryana. He expressed concern about the brazen manufacturing and open sale of illegal liquor. Notably, no substantial reports emerged from the investigation initiated in the scam case mentioned by Balraj Kundu, raising questions about the effectiveness of the government's response.

Abhay Chautala, criticising the government's failure to control the spread of poisonous liquor, called attention to the urgency of addressing the issue. Congress MLA Neeraj Sharma echoed these concerns and sought information on the government's actions in response to the poisonous liquor case.

In response, Health Minister Anil Vij provided an update on the situation. He acknowledged that 20 people had lost their lives due to continued consumption of poisonous liquor, prompting the re-registration of five cases. The police, according to the Health Minister, were conducting a thorough investigation, particularly in Yamunanagar and Ambala, leading to a total of 52 arrests.

These arrests included 36 accused individuals, all of whom were currently in judicial custody. Stringent actions had been taken against the accused, with 18 deaths reported in Yamunanagar and two in Ambala. The illegal production of spurious liquor was identified in Ambala, leading to the discharge of five individuals from the hospital after treatment.

Under the Dayal Yojana, compensation was provided to the families of eight deceased victims, amounting to Rs 32 lakh. Furthermore, a substantial fine of Rs 2 crore 91 lakh was imposed as part of punitive measures. Despite these efforts, the Health Minister emphasised the need for more stringent steps to rectify the situation and safeguard the well-being of society. The assembly concluded with a collective call for decisive actions to curb the poisonous liquor crisis.