Pune, June 1 -- union Minister of State for Social Justice and RPI(A) chief, Ramdas Athawale, has called for stringent action against the production and sale of illicit country liquor, saying the menace must be permanently eradicated from the country.
Speaking in Pune after meeting families affected by the recent toxic liquor tragedy in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, Athawale said the consumption of chemically-contaminated liquor had claimed 18 lives and highlighted the urgent need for stricter enforcement by police and excise authorities.
He informed that the Maharashtra government has announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the families of the deceased, while local municipal corporations have provided an additional Rs 1 lakh each. Fa...