TV
At a time when the Ganjam hooch tragedy has sent a shock wave across the State, rampant illegal sale of country liquor in several parts of Bolangir district has raised serious questions over the efficiency of State Excise Department.
OTV reported several liquor dens involved in illegal sale of country liquor putting the life of common people at risk in Bolangir.
According to sources, there are multiple government licensed country liquor dens in Titlagarh and Saintala areas in the district.
As per the norms, the country liquor should be packaged at the manufacturing unit. However, flouting the government guideline, the manufactures are illegally transporting the liquors to other units for packaging.
The violation of the packaging norm not only increases the chances of adulteration but also poses a threat to life, the locals alleged accusing the Excise Department of not taking any action against of such country liquor manufacturing units.
An OTV team reached the Excise Department office at around 10.10 am on Thursday to get reaction over the allegations. However, to the surprise, no senior official except a Grade-4 employee was found at the office.
It is worthwhile to mention here that two people died and 15 others from Karbala and Jenasahi villages fell ill after consuming country liquor sold near Moundpur in Ganjam this month.
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On Thursday, Commissionerate Police bulldozed three illegal liquor units at Salia Sahi in Bhubaneswar following a raid. Huge quantities of country liquor and other manufacturing equipment were seized during the raid.
