Hiking the compensation for the family of the victims of the hooch tragedy to Rs 5 lakh, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav asked officials to take strict action against those involved in bootlegging.
An official spokesman said in lucknow on Thursday that the decision to hike the compensation was taken after Minister of state for Excise Ramkaran Arya and SP legislator from Etah Rameshwar Singh Yadav met the CM and requested him to hike it as the victims' families were very poor.
“The CM immediately accepted the request and hiked the compensation from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh,” spokesman said.
Opposition parties had earlier blasted the state government for not giving adequate compensation. BSP chief Mayawati had claimed that the state government should pay a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the victims’ families.
Meanwhile, the toll in the Etah hooch tragedy reached 36 while over 100 people were still admitted in hospitals in Saifai and Farrukhabad and around a dozen being in serious condition.
SSP of Etah, Ajai Shankar Rai said, "A total of 115 people including two main accused – Sri Pal and Anil Singh - have been arrested in Etah. Barring these two, the rest have been booked for smuggling, selling illegal liquor, engaging in manufacturing of hooch and tampering with IMFl bottles tags and selling them under different names. They have charged under IPC section 272 (Adulteration of food or drink intended for sale), 420 (Cheating) and section 60 of Excise act."
During interrogation, Sri Pal revealed about his contact in Mainpuri district but it is not clear yet from where he was getting large consignments of hooch. Both the accused have been booked under IPC section 302 (murder).