’09 hooch: Panel blames govt for laxity on methanol use

The Laththa (hooch) Commission,which probed the 2009 hooch tragedy that claimed 148 lives in Ahmedabad,has blamed the state government for lax rules governing the transportation of methyl alcohol,a poisonous substance which,according to the panel,has been responsible for all the hooch tragedies in the state since 1977.

The commission’s inquiry report,which was tabled in the state Assembly on Friday,blames the government for not framing stringent rules for the transportation,possession and use of methyl alcohol,also known as methanol.

The commission has recommended that the state government adopt measures to control pilferage of methyl alcohol in transit by introducing systems such as electronic locks and others.

On an average,150 to 200 tankers transport methyl alcohol every day.