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Life term mooted for brewing spurious liquor

Special Correspondent

Raje chairs meeting on proposed amendments to Excise Act

JAIPUR: The Rajasthan Government proposes to amend its Excise Act to incorporate provisions for life imprisonment to those responsible for the manufacture of illicit liquor in the wake of death or serious injury after its consumption. The existing Rajasthan Excise Act, 1950, will be amended to enhance the penal provisions for unlawful manufacture, transport, sale, possession, export and import of liquor. This was decided on Thursday at a meeting, presided over by Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.

The amendments, suggested at the meeting -- attended by Home Minister G.C. Kataria, Chief Secretary Anil Vaish and Director General of Police, Amarjeet Singh Gill -- would also confer police powers to officers of the Excise Department for offenses under the Excise Act and facilitate summary trial in certain offences. The present Excise Policy does not have any specific provision for penalty in the case of spurious liquor.

Reviewing the situation in the light of the hooch tragedy in Bikaner -- which has claimed 24 lives since July 23 and left 51 others sick -- Ms. Raje directed the concerned departments to launch a massive campaign against the trade of illegal liquor. The meeting felt the existing provisions --imprisonment upto three years and a fine of upto Rs.20,000 -- for unlawful manufacture and sale were grossly inadequate as deterrents.

As per the amended Act, if anyone dies after consuming illicit liquor, the offender will be could be sent to jail for life and face a fine upto Rs.10 lakhs. If the person is grievously hurt, then also the offender will be liable for life imprisonment along with a fine upto Rs.5 lakhs. In case of other consequential injury the offender will be liable to punishment up to one year and to pay a fine upto Rs.2.5 lakhs.

Even if there is no injury, in the wake of an offence the person concerned will be liable for imprisonment upto six months and a fine upto Rs.1 lakh.

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