MP assembly clears Bill on death penalty for illicit liquor trade

THE EXCISE LAW IN THE STATE EARLIER PROVIDED FOR IMPRISONMENT OF TWO MONTHS TO 10 YEARS FOR THOSE CONVICTED OF INVOLVEMENT IN HOOCH TRADE

BHOPAL The Madhya Pradesh assembly on Tuesday passed the Madhya Pradesh Excise (Amendment) Bill that provides for the death penalty and fine up to Rs 20 lakh for anyone convicted for the second time of making and supplying spurious liquor that causes death.

Finance and excise minister Jagdish Deora, who tabled the bill, said the proposed law that has been sent to governor Mangubhai Patel for approval will curb the sale and manufacturing of illicit liquor in the state. “With the amendment in the Act, we are taking tough action. Recently, we raised a dhaba of illicit liquor supplier in Mandsaur,” he said.

The excise law in the state earlier provided for imprisonment of two months to 10 years for those convicted of involvement in illicit liquor trade for the first time and life imprisonment for the second.

Officials cited the deaths of about 50 people after consuming illicit liquor over the last 11 months and said this prompted the government to seek an amendment to the law.

“If consumption of illicit liquor causes the death of a human being, there is a provision of imprisonment which shall not be less than two years but may extend to life imprisonment and shall also be liable to a fine of Rs five lakh. When the person is convicted under this section for a second or subsequent offence there is a provision of imprisonment for capital punishment and shall also be liable to fine up to Rs 20 lakh,” says the Bill.

“In case of liquor is found unfit for human consumption, there is a provision of imprisonment which shall not be less than six months, but may extend to six years and shall also, be liable to fine up to Rs 1 lakh. In a case of consumption of illicit liquor caused injury to human beings, there is a provision of imprisonment which shall not be less than two years but may extend to eight years and shall also be liable to a fine up to Rs 2 lakh.”

The Opposition welcomed the passage of the Bill.