Bhubaneswar, Aug 23: Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan on Friday presented the status report of the Chikiti hooch tragedy in the Odisha Assembly
Responding to the Adjournment notice moved by some Congress Legislators today, Harichandan said that the health conditions of all the victims who are under treatment are now stable.
Underlining the incident Harichandan said, as many as 18 patients were initially admitted to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Chikiti whereas 15 patients were later shifted to Berhampur MKCG Medical College and Hospital for better treatment.
Harichandan added that a multidisciplinary team, led by the Ganjam Superintendent of Police, was formed to address the situation, comprising health department officials, Sarpanch, local Ward Members, Revenue Officers, Police, and Block Administration.
A public awareness campaign was initiated, urging immediate treatment for thoso who had liquor intakes from the affected areas, he informed.
The situation is being closely monitored, and necessary measures are being taken to ensure swift recovery of the victims.
Emphasising the government’s action following the mishap he said, the police have arrested six accused involved in the sale of illegal hooch. The investigating officer illegally seized 20 litters of liquor and sent it to Berhampur Regional Forensic Science Laboratory for chemical testing.
The Excise department has launched a state-wide campaign against illegal liquor, resulting in significant seizures and arrests.
As of August 22, at least 366 cases of illegal liquor trade have been registered and 266 accused have been arrested.Four suspects are still at large. Efforts are underway to apprehend them.
As many as 26,626 litres of illegal liquor has been seized. Similarly, huge cache of fermented mahua wastes have been destroyed from illegal liquor-manufacuring units in Ganjam, Balasore and Sonepur so far, the Minister said.
