Hooch Tragedy: Lalpura demands resignation of Punjab Excise Minister, slams compensation from public funds

Hooch Tragedy: Lalpura demands resignation of Punjab Excise Minister, slams compensation from public funds

Bahadurjeet Singh/Rupnagar,May 13,2025

BJP Parliamentary Board and Central Election Committee member Iqbal Singh Lalpura today expressed grief over the deaths caused by toxic liquor in Majitha and nearby villages, launching a scathing attack on the Punjab government. He questioned the sincerity of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s compensation announcement, pointing out that the aid is being disbursed from the public treasury, not from the government’s own pocket.

Lalpura stated, “If the compensation is being paid from public funds, then what personal accountability do the government and the Chief Minister hold? Are any Aam Aadmi Party MLAs or ministers contributing from their own pockets?” He added that distributing public money is no real solution—preventive measures are the real need.

Calling the government’s so-called “war against drugs” a complete failure, Lalpura demanded the resignation of the state’s Excise Minister. “This is the second or third time such an incident has occurred in the Majha region. What happened to the investigation of the previous case? Was anyone punished? Or does the government only produce reports on paper?”

He further questioned whether the government is genuinely interested in ending drug-related tragedies or simply offering compensation to cover its failure. “If lethal substances like poison liquor are being sold openly, what is the Excise and Taxation Minister doing? Why hasn’t he resigned yet?”

Lalpura urged the people of Punjab to reflect on the kind of representatives they are electing. “Punjabis must introspect—are they electing public servants or protectors of the drug mafia? Until the public becomes aware, such tragedies will continue.”

Hooch Tragedy: Lalpura demands resignation of Punjab Excise Minister, slams compensation from public funds. He directly questioned CM Bhagwant Mann: “Since coming to power, how many major drug traffickers or mafia kingpins have been arrested? You had promised a drug-free Punjab, but now drugs are reaching every household.”

Demanding strict punishment for the guilty, Lalpura concluded by insisting that the Excise Minister should resign immediately to send a strong message that the government still acknowledges its responsibility.