The death toll in the hooch tragedy in Tamil Nadu's Kallakurichi district has risen to 34, confirmed Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Thursday, adding that a compensation of Rs 10 lakh will be paid to their families.
In a statement issued here, CM Stalin also said the government has also appointed a one-man committee under retired High Court Justice B. Gokuldas to look into the issue and recommend measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.
CM Stalin said he was pained to hear about the death of 34 persons due to the consumption of illicit liquor in the Kallakurichi district in Tamil Nadu.
He said the orders have been issued to pay Rs10 lakh to the families of the 34 dead and Rs 50,000 out of the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to those who are getting treated in the hospitals.
He said four persons have been arrested in this connection and action will also be taken against those who had supplied methanol for making the illicit liquor.
The CM said police have been asked to investigate the source of methanol. According to him, action has been taken against the concerned police officials and the District Collector has been transferred.
Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi, condoling the deaths and wishing a speedy recovery of the victims blamed the state government for its lapses.
He said: “Every now and then tragic loss of lives due to consumption of illicit liquors are reported from various parts of our state. This reflects continuing lapses in preventing production and consumption of illicit liquor. This is a matter of serious concern."
The continued hooch tragedies in Tamil Nadu show the callous attitude of the state government, said actor-turned-politician Vijay, president, of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.
Coming down heavily on the DMK government led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin for the first time after floating his party, Vijay also strongly urged the government to take strong preventive action so that such events do not occur again.
Recalling last year’s hooch deaths in the state, Vijay posted on X that even before coming out of the grief of the earlier tragedy, another such event shows the government’s callous attitude.
Issue of deportation of illegal immigrants receiving consideration at highest level, SC told
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta on Tuesday apprised the Supreme Court that the issue of deportation of illegal immigrants is receiving consideration at the highest executive level and a decision is likely to be taken soon.
CPI-M announces new 80-member West Bengal committee, Md Salim named state Secretary for second term
The CPI-M, at the conclusion of its 27th state conference on Tuesday, announced the new 80-member state committee in West Bengal with Politburo member Md Salim unanimously re-elected state Secretary for a second term.
HM Shah upbeat on Madhya Pradesh's approach to accrue Rs 30 lakh crore in 2 days
The Global Investors Summit 2025, convened in Madhya Pradesh, saw participation from over 200 companies, representatives from 50 countries and attracted a huge investment of more than 30 lakh crore rupees.
TN CM Stalin calls all-party meet on March 5 to discuss delimitation issue
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin, on Tuesday called for an all-party meeting on March 5 to discuss the issue of delimitation, which threatens to reduce Tamil Nadu’s representation in Parliament.
Surrendered militants block National Highway in Tripura; clears way as officials intervene
Around 100 surrendered militants of different outfits on Tuesday blocked National Highway-8, the surface lifeline of Tripura, demanding the fulfillment of their long-standing demands, including the withdrawal of all court cases against them and the proper implementation of the tripartite agreement signed with them.
With 2.73 pc in Mizoram & 1.37 pc in Nagaland, HIV/AIDS adult prevalence rate top in India
The HIV/AIDS adult (15 to 49 years) prevalence rate in two northeastern states -- Mizoram and Nagaland is much higher than the national prevalence rate of 0.20 per cent, officials said on Tuesday.
1984 anti-Sikh riots: Delhi court awards life sentence to Sajjan Kumar in murder case
A Delhi court on Tuesday awarded life sentence to former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar in connection with the killing of a father-son duo in the Saraswati Vihar area on November 1, 1984, during the anti-Sikh riots.
Eager to join Assam’s transformational journey: Gautam Adani
Assam is on a path to greatness amid several ongoing transformative projects and we are honoured to walk this path alongside you, Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, said here on Tuesday.