As the number of deaths due to consumption of methanol liquor in Kallakurichi District crossed 50, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Friday announced relief measures to the kith and kin who lost either one or both of their parents in the tragedy that happened on Wednesday.
The following relief will be provided in addition to the relief fund of ₹10 lakh already announced for the rehabilitation of the affected children and their future welfare, he said in his reply to the Calling Attention Motion in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.
Stalin said that in case of loss of both or one parent, the State government will bear all the expenses, including tuition fees and hostel fees up to graduation. A monthly maintenance of ₹5,000 will be given to each child who has lost both his parents and is orphaned until the age of 18.
An amount of ₹5 lakh each will be deposited in a fixed deposit from the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund as an immediate relief to the children who have lost both parents. Once they attain the age of 18, the amount will be given to them along with interest.
Children who have lost one of their parents will be given ₹3 lakh each from the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund.
Children who have lost both or one parent will be given priority in all government welfare schemes. The orphaned children will be admitted to Government and Government-Aided Homes Hostels as per their choice, he said.
Further, orders have been issued to constitute a one-man commission under the Chairmanship of Gokuldas, a retired High Court judge, to conduct a detailed enquiry into the incident.
“The Commission will thoroughly enquire into the matter and make its recommendations within three months. I assure you that this Government will take appropriate action in this regard,” said Stalin. The Chief Minister alleged that the methanol used in Kallakurichi to produce the hooch was brought from Puducherry.
A total of 6.43 lakh cases have been registered against illicit distillers since the DMK government came to power three years ago, said Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin.
Action against spurious liquor
Since the Government came to power, 14,606 cases have been registered, and 10,154 criminals have been arrested for selling spurious liquor and 565 people have been arrested under the Goondas Act. Further, 45 permanent prohibition check posts have been set up across the state to prevent illegal liquor smuggling.
Further, a total of 16.51 lakh litres of illicit liquor has been seized and destroyed; 1.42 lakh litres of arrack has been seized and destroyed, and a total of 28.79 litres of Ooral has been seized and destroyed.
“It is a matter of great anguish that some such untoward incidents are taking place even though this Government is taking stringent steps to eradicate illicit liquor,” said Stalin. The Government will provide all help to the victims, he added.
Meanwhile, the start of the second day of the Tamil Nadu Assembly saw chaotic scenes both inside and outside the House. Members of the AIADMK sought permission from the Speaker to raise the issue of the Kallakurichi Hooch tragedy. However, Speaker M Appavu did not allow them to raise the issue and asked the marshals to evict them for causing repeated disruptions.
Outside the House, the AIADMK members, who were clad in black shirts, raised slogans against the State government.
Speaking to reporters after leaving the House, AIADMK General Secretary and Leader of Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly Edappadi K Palaniswami said the party had sought permission from the Speaker to discuss the issue. If permission is not given to discuss such a grave matter, he said there is no point in being elected as an Assembly member.