Nitish expresses distress over recent hooch tragedy

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumaron Sunday expressed distress over a recent hooch tragedy inthe state that has claimed five lives, and urged citizens torealise that his government has introduced prohibition sincealcohol was a ''dirty thing''.

He also reiterated that the move, inspired fromGandhian ideals, was taken in view of a strong demand fromwomenfolk and he was in favour of ''dismissal'' of policepersonnel, who were found guilty of flouting the law bydrinking liquor.

Kumar was talking to reporters here on the sidelinesof a function where a number of projects aimed atstrengthening the health sector in rural areas were launched.

He was responding to queries about the loss of lives,following consumption of spurious liquor, in Muzaffarpurdistrict, where a number of police personnel have been placedunder suspension in the wake.

Referring to Saturday's Niti Aayog meeting duringwhich he interacted, via video conferencing, with PrimeMinister Narendra Modi, Kumar reaffirmed he was in favour of''one nation one rate'' for power, asserting that the presentsystem of states being charged differently for electricity wasplacing Bihar at a disadvantage.

''It (liquor) in itself is a dirty thing (gandi cheez).

The ill-effects get multiplied when consumed in an adulteratedform. No wonder Mahatma Gandhi was so strongly opposed to it.

Our womens pleas had made us place a ban,'' said Kumar,referring to the introduction of prohibition by his governmentin April 2016.

He rued ''some people, nonetheless are up to mischiefalways and they indulge in acts that goes against our wellintentioned move... I am, therefore, for not just departmentalaction but dismissal of police personnel if they are everfound to be drunk. They have taken oath to stay away fromalcohol''.

''The Centre has undertaken a drive to bringelectricity and piped water to all households. We have donethe needful in the state already. But, under the existingsystem, we end up spending more for the same than many otherstates. I, therefore, suggested one nation one rate,'' the CMsaid.

Kumar was speaking outside the chief minister'ssecretariat where he presided over a function marking thelaunch of 'e-Sanjivvani', a telemedicine service for the ruralareas, 'Ashwin portal' to ensure timely payment of stipends toaccredited social health activists, and 'Wonder App', whichpromises better delivery of ambulance services.