Why hooch tragedies keep recurring in Punjab

ONCE again, Punjab is mourning another devastating hooch tragedy, which claimed the lives of dozens of innocent individuals who fell victim to spurious liquor tainted with methanol. These victims, primarily from the society's most vulnerable sectors, unknowingly consumed the tainted liquor. These are not mere accidents; they epitomise a betrayal by a system that repeatedly turns a blind eye, sustained by a corrupt nexus of profit, patronage and administrative apathy.

Hooch tragedies are far from a new phenomenon in Punjab. Since 2010, numerous incidents have rocked regions such as Tarn Taran, Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Sangrur and Mansa. During the catastrophic events of 2020 alone, over 120 lives were lost. These recurring tragedies consistently target the same demographic: the impoverished, the landless, the addicted - individuals the state is sworn to protect but continuously neglects.

At the core of this crisis lies a vast, well-coordinated empire of illicit liquor. This black market stretches from production to wholesale to street-level sale, frequently operating under the watchful gaze of the authorities. Punjab's liquor economy is predominantly controlled by a select few powerful syndicates, shielded — either tacitly or actively — by politicians and local officials. This unholy alliance facilitates the proliferation of lethal alcohol, particularly in rural and economically distressed regions.

The tragedy is exacerbated by warped economic incentives. Punjab rakes in over Rs 10,000 crore annually through liquor excise, making it the state's second largest source of non-debt revenue. This fiscal dependency breeds a wilful blindness. When both legal and illegal profits flow upward through the same shadowy networks, the state becomes a silent accomplice in the slow poisoning of its people.

For many rural households, licensed liquor remains prohibitively expensive. A 750-ml bottle can cost Rs 300-Rs 400, far beyond the reach of daily wage workers. Illicit hooch, available at a mere fraction of that price, becomes the default choice. Yet, affordability is only a part of the issue at hand.

Punjab grapples with a widespread substance abuse crisis. What was once a component of cultural celebration has decayed into rampant alcoholism, especially among the youth. Over the years, illicit distillation has increased and drug-related crimes have surged by over 30 per cent.

Entire communities, deprived of mental health care, meaningful employment and adequate infrastructure, find themselves vulnerable to addiction. In this dire context, liquor — whether legal or illegal —transforms into both a refuge and a trap.

Each tragedy follows a painfully predictable script: media outrage, arrests and hastily convened inquiry committees. Yet, year after year, no lessons are learnt and requisite structural reforms remain an elusive goal. While low-level bootleggers are apprehended, the masterminds — often shielded by political connections —escape scrutiny. FIRs are subjected to delays or diluted.

Compensation for victims' families tends to serve as a mechanism to silence dissent rather than deliver genuine justice. Public memory fades swiftly, but the system's memory is sharp — it knows how to protect itself, yet cannot correct its failures.

One of the most formidable barriers to reform is the monopolisation of Punjab's liquor trade. Over the past decade, a handful of persons — many linked to both ruling and opposition parties — have cornered the rights to liquor manufacturing and distribution. These monopolies, solidified through opaque auctions and manipulated licensing processes, stifle competition and accountability.

In many districts, the police serve less as enforcers of the law and more as protectors of the liquor empire. Excise inspectors, often silenced by fear or complicity, remain ineffectual. Even honest officials find themselves powerless within a system fortified by money, muscle and political influence.

Reform must be both urgent and radical, ensuring lasting impact. Punjab requires a comprehensive overhaul of its excise policy, placing public health and safety at the forefront. Affordable, regulated alternatives to illicit hooch must be made available in rural markets. The state must also diminish its over-reliance on liquor revenues, seeking ethical and sustainable sources of income.

An independent, judiciary-monitored task force should be established to investigate the intricate nexus of political, administrative and business interests that perpetuate this deadly trade. Licensing procedures must be rendered fully transparent, subjected to public audits and insulated from political manipulation.

Until these crucial structural changes are implemented, hooch tragedies will persist as distressing reminders of a deeper moral decay. Punjab deserves far better than this relentless cycle of death, denial and delay. It is time to dismantle the nexus and reclaim the fundamental rights to life, dignity and justice for all citizens.

Views are personal

Suresh Kumar is former Chief Principal Secretary, Punjab.