Odisha to launch RDC probe into hooch tragedy, Excise Minister announces

Bhubaneswar, Aug 22: Excise Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan announced that a Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) will conduct an investigation into the recent hooch tragedy, with a report expected in two months.

Chief Minister Mohan Majhi is anticipated to make a decision soon, and the RDC-level probe will be initiated within the next day or two. The government plans to intensify its crackdown on illicit liquor trade, with state-wide raids commencing from August 20. To date, 217 illegal liquor distilleries have been identified and will be dismantled, while 117 arrests have been made across various districts, and illegal fermented alcohol is being destroyed.

Harichandan also disclosed that Berhampur Excise Inspector Ramesh Chandra Mohanty and SI Prasanna Kumar Dhali have been suspended, and Berhampur Excise Superintendent Pradeep Panigrahi has been transferred. The government is committed to eliminating illegal liquor operations.

This announcement follows a hooch tragedy in Ganjam district, which resulted in two fatalities and has continued to impact state politics. The issue has been raised in the Assembly for the second consecutive day, leading Speaker Surama Padhy to adjourn the session until 4 pm. The BJD has called for an RDC probe and the resignation of the Excise Minister, criticizing the BJP’s manifesto promise of "Nisha Mukt Odisha" (intoxication-free Odisha) as not being fulfilled. BJD party whip Pramila Mallick pointed out that previous BJD ministers resigned immediately following similar incidents during Naveen Patnaik’s administration.

Additionally, the BJD has dispatched a fact-finding team led by MLA and former minister Niranjan Pujari to Chikiti, where over 20 people reportedly fell ill after consuming suspected spurious liquor.