The death toll from the consumption of spurious liquor in Bihar climbed to 33 on Friday, with 28 fatalities reported in Siwan and five in Saran, according to the District Public Relations Officer.

A total of 79 people have been admitted to Siwan Sadar Hospital and Basantpur Primary Health Center. Among them, 13 severely ill patients have been referred to PMCH Patna for treatment, and 30 individuals have been  discharged, the Siwan PRO said.

The post-mortems of the 28 deceased have been completed, and their bodies have been handed over to their families.

The opposition has criticized the Bihar government, claiming that its liquor ban policy has failed. “The liquor ban reflects institutional corruption in Nitish Kumar’s government. If the liquor ban has been implemented, then it is the government’s responsibility to enforce it completely” said RJD leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav.

Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said on Friday that the government is taking the issue seriously and that the culprits will not be spared. He alleged that those involved in the liquor business often become candidates for the RJD.

“The liquor ban has been implemented with everyone’s consent. Everyone should cooperate to enforce it completely and stop protecting the criminals who have committed this crime”, the deputy chief minister said.

input: ani