The Maharashtra Legislative Council faced intense discussions regarding the recent spurious liquor incident in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. The Opposition criticized the state government for its handling of the tragedy, while the ruling alliance accused them of politicizing the issue. BJP MLC Amit Gorkhe called for immediate financial aid to the victims’ families.
Opposition MLCs, including Sachin Ahir and Ambadas Danve, expressed concerns over the official death toll and alleged that some victims were cremated without proper examinations. They highlighted the presence of illegal liquor dens in various areas and demanded strict action against those responsible. The debate also focused on the transportation of methanol from Bhiwandi to Pune.
In response, Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam assured that the government was taking necessary actions and had suspended several officials. He mentioned invoking provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against the accused and considering the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act due to the organized crime angle. The discussion turned chaotic as questions arose about the government’s response to the victims’ families.
Industries Minister Uday Samant and Opposition members engaged in a heated exchange regarding the leadership’s involvement in the issue. The session concluded with Chairperson Ram Shinde expressing hope for preventive measures in the future. Minister Kadam confirmed the toxic liquor as the cause of death for all victims and assured compensation for the affected families.
