UP hooch tragedy claims major scalp; excise commissioner Anil Garg removed

LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh government today removed State Excise Commissioner Anil Garg from his post in the wake of spurious liquor tragedy which has so far claimed 31 lives with 17 more people dying overnight in various hospitals here and in Unnao.

"Excise Commissioner Anil Garg has been removed from the post by the state government. No fresh appointment has been made in his place," a spokesman said.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had sought an explanation from Garg yesterday following the hooch tragedy.

Meanwhile, two more excise department officers have also been suspended by the state government.

Principal Secretary (Excise) K S Atoria said that Lucknow Zone Joint Excise Commissioner Ram Sagar and Unnao District Excise Officer Awadhesh Kumar Verma have been suspended on charges of dereliction of duty.

With these two suspensions, the government has so far suspended 22 excise and police department staff.