Wednesday, May 18 2005 15:12 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: In the face of a string of hooch tragedies that struck parts of the State, Karnataka Government today (May 18, 2005) decided to deal sternly with Methyl alcohol suppliers by amending the Excise Act.

Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who holds the Excise portfolio, told reporters in Bangalore that it has been decided to amend the Excise act to fix the burden of proving the offence from "Prosecution to the offender".

Elaborating on the amendment, Siddaramaiah said, Methyl alcohol, a poisonous substance is supplied on the sly by vendors to hooch producers, leading to spurious liquor tragedies.

The existing Excise Act fixes the responsibility of proving the guilt of illegal methyl alcohol supplier by the prosecution and not by the offender.

Once the amended act comes into force, those arrested for the offence would have to prove that he or she did not store the methyl alcohol and supply them to illicit liquor manufacturers, thus tightening the law, Siddaramaiah said.

He said, methyl alcohol vendors, operate clandestinely, procure the material from Mumbai and from drivers of tankers who transport the substance.

In two major hooch tragedies that occurred in Bangalore Rural and Hassan district, atleast 38 lives were lost.

Siddaramaiah said the police have been directed to identify those engaged in spurious liquor manufacturing and trade and book them under the stringent Goonda Act.

Several persons have already been identified, he said.