Board Of Revenue To Probe Chikiti Hooch Tragedy In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The Board of Revenue will inquire into Chikiti hooch tragedy in Odisha that claimed five lives last month.

“It has been reported that at least five persons under Chikiti police limits of Ganjam district died after consuming illicit country liquor along with other items on August 19-21, 2024, and several others were admitted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur, for treatment. The state government is deeply concerned with the incident and of the opinion that the same being a definite matter of public importance should be inquired into by the Member, Board of Revenue,” said a notification issued by the Excise Department on September 25.

The Board of Revenue has been asked to conduct an inquiry and submit a report in this regard in two months. It has been asked to ascertain the cause of the tragedy, people responsible, lapses if any on the part of excise and police department and recommend action to prevent such recurrence.

At least 15 people from Jenapur and Karabalua were admitted to the hospital on August 19 after they consumed spurious country-made liquor from a vendor at Maundapur village. While nine persons were discharged after being cured, five people died. At least 16 people were arrested in connection with the hooch tragedy and huge quantities of liquor seized in raids conducted by the police and excise departments.