Hooch tragedies repeat but no lessons learnt
About a year after 22 people lost their lives consuming hooch spiked with poisonous methanol in Tamil Nadu, another 56 people have died in the state from imbibing a similarly toxic brew. While the state government has announced solatium for the kin of deceased and financial aid for children who lost their parents, this is only the barest minimum it can do having grossly failed to fulfil its duty to control the movement of methanol and the brewing and sale of illicit liquor. While the usual suspects in TN have again raised the call for prohibition, what is needed is enforcement of existing laws, raising awareness of the risks of hooch and reform of the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation. Yet, people have died consuming illicit liquor purchased for `60 despite a Tasmac outlet being less than a kilometre away as even the cheapest licit liquor costs 2.5 times as much.
