Patna: Stung by a series of hooch incidents, which claimed over 50 lives in different parts of the state recently, Bihar government has launched a massive crackdown on illegal liquor trade network, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said on Friday.
Regular raids are being conducted at places where hooch is manufactured or sold, in accordance with information provided by the intelligence, Kumar said at a review meeting of Excise Department here.
Recently, the chief minister had said that there were provisions for confiscation of property of people, found guilty in illegal liquor trade, in the Criminal Amendment Act and the Excise Act.
He said that these provisions will be used to punish those involved in the illegal trade.
He said the state government's excise policy was aimed at dissuading people from consumption of liquor by increasing tax on alcohol items.
Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, Excise Minister Vijendra Yadav and Chief Secretary A K Sinha were present in the review meeting.
The chief minister took stock of action regarding collection of taxes on sale of liquor and steps initiated to stop its illegal trade.
More than 50 people had died in hooch incidents in Muzaffarpur, Ara and Gaya recently.
PTI
First Published: Friday, December 21, 2012, 18:24