HOOCH Tragedy Claims Several Deaths in Dry State of Bihar
CONTEXT- BIHAR despite being a dry state since April 2016 under stringent laws, repeatedly faces HOOCH deaths. Official records show about 170 deaths in Bihar this year due to the consumption of spurious liquor.
What are HOOCH tragedies ?
- HOOCH is a term used for spurious alcohol preparations.
- The origin of this word lies in Hoochinoo Indians of ALASKA.
- Deaths due to consumption of such illicit liquor are known as HOOCH TRAGEDIES.
Where are they prevalent ?
Due to alcohol prohibition in the states of Bihar, Gujarat, Mizoram, Nagaland. These states provide favourable conditions for illegal brewers.
According to Lok Sabha data released on July 19, 2022, these five states reported the maximum deaths due to consumption of illegal and spurious liquor between 2016 and 2020:-
- Bihar: The state reported a total of 21 deaths due to the consumption of illegal liquor.
- Chhattisgarh: Chhattisgarh logged a total of 505 deaths in 5 years.
- Madhya Pradesh: Madhya Pradesh recorded over 1,200 deaths with the maximum number of deaths reported in 2018.
- Karnataka: Karnataka logged a total of 909 deaths.
- Punjab: Punjab reported 725 deaths.
Here is a list of the states which have imposed a complete ban on liquor in India:
- Mizoram
- Gujarat
- Bihar
- Nagaland
- Lakshadweep
WHY HOOCH Liquor are so Poisonous ?
(Credits- The Indian Express)
- Under this methyl alcohol (in place of ethyl alcohol) or denatured spirit is added by illegal brewers to save input cost and in mistaken belief that it will increase its efficacy.
- On consumption methanol is changed into formic acid inside the body.
- As methyl alcohol is highly toxic and delay in providing antidote can cause death within 15-30hours.
REASONS FOR PREVAILING HOOCH MARKET ?
(Credits- Business Standard)
- Dry state of Bihar under stringent laws gives enough opportunities for the illegal brewers to make money.
- A vast network of illegal manufacturing and sale could not exist without the patronage of police and politicians.
- Inability of administration in protecting the black market for its sale.
- Wide under-network of sales agents in every nook and corners of the state.
- Easy and cheap availability of this liquor.
ISSUES with HOOCH alcohols :-
- Consumption of spurious liquor causes sudden deaths.
- There is rise in domestic violence due to consumption of liquor.
- It also worsens and negatively effect the socio-economic condition of the vulnerable section of the society.
- The formative years of the youth is being compromised by the hooch which at large impacts the nation development.
- According to NCRB there is increase in crime rate due to the illegal manufacturing, sale and consumption.
- Economic spending ability of the family is reduced.
WAY FORWARD
- The scale of the rise in hooch incidents and deaths should set alarm bells ringing about the inability of the administration in curbing the black market in liquor sales and consumption.
- Bihar Government insists that the success of prohibition is only a matter of implementation of the law and in a way has blamed the deaths on the ignorance of those who consumed spurious liquor.
- But the fact that these deaths persist should alert the government to the misgivings with the idea of total prohibition as a magic bullet in a State marked by weaknesses in institutions and low overall human development.
NEWS :- HOOCH tragedy claims several deaths in dry state of Bihar.
SYLLABUS :- MAINS – GS1 : Indian society, GS2 : Issues relating to development and management of social services relating to health.
