THE CONTEXT: The recent hooch tragedy in Kallakurichi, North Tamil Nadu, which has claimed 39 lives and left many others critically ill, underscores a severe lapse in government and enforcement. Despite previous incidents in Marakkanam and Madhuranthakam, where industrial methanol was illicitly used in moonshine, the state failed to anticipate and prevent this disaster. The easy availability of cheap, toxic hooch, driven by high prices at TASMAC outlets, has led to this devastating outcome.
THE ISSUES:
- Inadequate Law Enforcement and Prohibition Measures: The Prohibition Enforcement Wing of the Tamil Nadu police is tasked with preventing the production and sale of illicit liquor. However, the recurrence of hooch tragedies, including the recent one in Kallakurichi and previous incidents in Marakkanam and Madhuranthakam, indicates a failure in effectively curbing the illegal trade of methanol-laced moonshine. Despite existing laws and amendments to control methanol supply, enforcement has been lax, allowing the illicit brewing industry to thrive.
- Economic Factors Driving Consumption of Illicit Liquor: The high cost of alcohol sold through the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited (TASMAC) outlets and irregular incomes of daily wage workers have driven many to seek cheaper alternatives. The aggressive price hikes in TASMAC shops have made legal alcohol unaffordable for many, pushing them towards dangerous, low-cost moonshine. This economic pressure is a significant factor contributing to the consumption of illicit liquor.
- Public Health Awareness and Education: There is a critical need for increased public health awareness regarding the dangers of consuming illicit liquor. Methanol, often added to moonshine to increase its potency, is a potent poison that can cause severe health issues, including liver failure, blindness, and death. The government needs to implement robust public health campaigns to educate the population about these risks and discourage the consumption of illicit alcohol.
- Regulatory and Policy Gaps: The Tamil Nadu Prohibition Act, 1937, and subsequent amendments were designed to control the manufacture, sale, and consumption of intoxicating substances. However, the persistent issue of methanol poisoning suggests gaps in the regulatory framework and its implementation. The government needs to review and strengthen these regulations to prevent the diversion of industrial methanol to the illicit liquor market.
- Post-Tragedy Response and Accountability: The state government’s response to the tragedy, including announcing financial compensation for the victims’ families and initiating a CB-CID investigation, is reactive rather than preventive. While these measures provide some relief, they do not address the root causes of the problem. There is a need for proactive measures to shut down the illicit brewing industry and hold accountable those responsible for the illegal production and distribution of methanol-laced liquor.
THE WAY FORWARD:
- Strengthening Regulatory Framework and Enforcement: Article 47 of the Indian Constitution directs the state to prohibit intoxicating drinks and drugs harmful to health. Seventh Schedule (Article 246) empowers states to legislate on alcohol, making it a state subject. Parthasarathy Committee Report (1992) recommended stringent laws to prevent the illegal possession and storage of methanol, including adding a bitter substance to make it undrinkable. The judiciary has often emphasized the need for strict enforcement of prohibition laws to prevent illicit liquor tragedies.
- Public Health Awareness and Education Campaigns: Initiate public education campaigns through advertisements, street plays, and community involvement to raise awareness about the dangers of consuming illicit liquor. Similar to the botulism prevention strategies in prisons, use handouts, fliers, and local media to educate the public about the risks of methanol-laced alcohol. Maharashtra has conducted public awareness campaigns to educate people about the dangers of illicit liquor and the importance of consuming only legally available alcohol.
- Economic Interventions and Subsidies: Provide low-cost legal alcohol through state-run outlets like TASMAC to reduce the demand for cheaper, illicit alternatives. Implement economic interventions such as job creation and subsidies for legal alcohol to lessen the financial burden on daily wage earners. Tamil Nadu (2002) introduced low-cost liquor through TASMAC, which helped control deaths due to hooch by providing an affordable legal alternative.
- Community Involvement and Vigilance: Form community-based vigilance committees to monitor and report illicit brewing activities. Engage local leaders and women’s groups in these efforts. Empower women-led community initiatives to combat the sale and consumption of illegal liquor, as they are often the most affected by alcohol-related issues. Despite challenges, Bihar’s prohibition policy has seen some success through community involvement and women’s groups advocating for the ban.
- Judicial and Administrative Reforms: Conduct thorough judicial inquiries into hooch tragedies and hold officials accountable for lapses in enforcement. Implement recommendations from such inquiries to prevent future incidents. Adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards illicit liquor trade, with strict penalties for those involved, including law enforcement officials found complicit. Despite being a dry state, Gujarat has implemented strict penalties, including the death penalty for those responsible for deaths due to toxic alcohol.
THE CONCLUSION:
While the state government has taken post-facto measures, including disciplinary actions and financial compensation, these efforts are insufficient and overdue. The government must urgently dismantle the illicit brewing industry and enforce stringent controls on methanol supply. Additionally, increasing public health awareness about the dangers of consuming hooch is imperative to prevent future tragedies.
UPSC PAST YEAR QUESTIONS:
Q.1 The crucial aspect of the development process has been the inadequate attention paid to Human Resource Development in India. Suggest measures that can address this inadequacy. 2022
Q.2 Despite Consistent experience of High growth, India still goes with the lowest indicators of human development. Examine the issues that make balanced and inclusive development elusive.2019
Q.3 Appropriate local community-level healthcare intervention is a prerequisite to achieve ‘Health for All ‘in India. Explain. 2018
MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION:
Q.1 The recent hooch tragedy in Kallakurichi, Tamil Nadu, highlights the failure of governance to anticipate and prevent such incidents. Critically analyze the factors contributing to the proliferation of illicit brewing and suggest measures to address this issue effectively.
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