As Nitish Kumar Refuses Compensation For Liquor Deaths, A 2016 Reminder

The Nitish Kumar government in Bihar is being criticised by its adversaries as well as allies over its refusal to pay compensation to family members of those who have died in the Saran hooch tragedy.

The administration has confirmed 30 deaths since Tuesday night, following suspected consumption of toxic liquor, making it the biggest liquor tragedy in the state since it went dry over six years ago.

However, the opposition BJP has claimed inside the state assembly as well as in a memorandum submitted to Governor Phagu Chauhan that the number of deaths was "more than 100", a view echoed by Chirag Paswan, an NDA sympathizer and strident critic of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

"I visited Saran today to meet the bereaved family members and was appalled to learn that the administration was putting pressure on them not to report deaths caused by hooch or attribute these to other causes so that the magnitude of the tragedy is downplayed. I am told that the number of those who have died may be even as high as 200," Mr Paswan told PTI-Bhasha over phone.

The Jamui MP also questioned the obstinacy of the Chief Minister over paying compensation to the bereaved family members, pointing out "why is he adopting double standards? The adjoining district of Gopalganj was struck by a hooch tragedy in 2016, shortly after the prohibition law had come into force. He compensated the victims then."

Notably, the longest-serving Chief Minister has adopted a righteous stance on the issue of compensation, asserting that the ban on liquor was based on Gandhian principles which those who have consumed toxic liquor had violated and hence they deserved no compensation for the "ganda kaam" (abominable act).

Senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi, a former deputy Chief Minister and once-trusted lieutenant of Mr Kumar, also visited Saran separately and echoed similar views as that of the Jamui MP.

"The Chief Minister had compensated the victims of Gopalganj in 2016 despite prohibition. Now he says that the liquor ban will be affected by compensating Saran victims. This shows that he is capable of taking a U-turn in every matter," said the BJP leader, whose party lost power in August this year as a result of Mr Kumar's volte-face.

Both Mr Paswan and Mr Modi were also livid over Mr Kumar's repeated remark "piyoge to maroge" (if you drink, you shall be doomed to die) which they described as "highly insensitive".

Political strategist-turned-activist Prashant Kishor, a former close aide of the Bihar Chief Minister, said the remark "piyoge to maroge" made him "regret having worked for Nitish Kumar, a man who was once conscientious enough to have resigned as railway minister in the wake of a train accident."

The CPI(ML)-Liberation, which supports the 'Mahagathbandhan' government from outside, called for "not just compensation but rehabilitation (punarvaas) of families" which may have been in dire straits upon the death of a breadwinner in the liquor tragedy.

In a statement, the ultra-Left party said it will also hit the streets on Monday in protest against the "nexus between liquor mafia and the administrative machinery across the state".

The party said it had sent a three-member delegation, comprising sitting and former MLAs, to Saran to take stock of the situation.

"Most of the deceased belong to very poor families... The hooch tragedy has destroyed many homes. Its impact has now reached the adjoining district of Siwan," the statement said.

Incidentally, the administration in Siwan has confirmed six deaths caused by suspected consumption of toxic liquor in parts of the district adjoining Saran.

"The government must show sensitivity and agree to not just pay an ex-gratia but also take the responsibility of treatment of those who have fallen ill after consuming liquor, besides the education of the children of those who have died. It must also set up de-addiction centres so that the scourge of alcoholism may be nipped in the bud," the statement added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)