Post News Network
Cuttack, Sept 5: A significant rise in production, sale and consumption of illicit liquor in Cuttack and adjoining areas right under the nose of the excise department has upset both citizens and activists alike and sparked protests.
After a group of women ransacked and torched two illegal liquor shops in Malgodam area a few days ago, the issue came to the fore again. Although the city has witnessed two hooch tragedies in the past, illicit liquor business has remained well afloat and even thrived in most parts of Cuttack.
According sources, the excise department has issued licences to 42 liquor shops in the district while around 400 liquor outlets are doing business illegally.
Police and the excise department are reportedly quite aware of the operations of the illegal liquor outlets, but they prefer silence allegedly due to pecuniary incentives from the operators of this trade. The liquor mafias also have the blessings of a few local politicians, said sources.
At least 300 people had died and many more were maimed for the rest of their lives due to consumption of spurious liquor in the city in 1992. Similarly, 40 people had lost their lives by consuming hooch in February 2012.
“Police and excise department officials have failed to check the operations of the illicit liquor units. The state government incurs huge revenue losses due to the illicit liquor business. Besides, spurious liquor has put the lives of people in danger and caused turmoil in their families” said social activist Puspa Das.
Advocate Prashant Panda and youth leader Suvendu Mohanty echoed these sentiments. “At least five illicit liquor shops are operating under each police station limits in Cuttack district. Police and excise department officials have turned a blind eye to this trade due to obvious reason,” said Mohanty.
When contacted, district excise inspector Sitakanta Muduli said, “Our officials have raided several illegal liquor shops in the district with the help of police. We are regularly monitoring the activities of the liquor mafias.”
Excise commissioner PK Senapati said the excise department has planned to launch a special drive to trace all illegal liquor-selling units in the district. “We have directed our local officials to undertake regular raids on illegal liquor shops and take stern action against the guilty,” he said.