Hooch: inquiry panel appointed

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, DEC. 7. The Government has issued notification appointing the Karanataka High Court judge, Mr. V. P. Mohan Kumar, as Commission to inquire into the liquor tragedies in Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram districts.

The headquarters of the Commission will be Ernakulam. The Collector has been asked to arrange necessary facilities for the smooth functioning of the Commission. A sum of Rs. 15 lakhs have been sanctioned, besides a car, a telephone and other facilities.

An official release said that the Commission would start functioning as soon as the President's assent was received for the appointment. This was expected this week itself.

The release said that the allegations made by some quarters that the terms of reference of the Commission did not cover the involvement of political leaders with liquor dealers were incorrect.

The fourth paragraph of the terms of reference specified that the Commission was to inquire whether there was any patronage or involvement from the part of public men or political workers in preparing, smuggling, storing, distributing and selling illicit liquor.

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Section  : Southern States
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