Odisha excise minister resigns over hooch tragedy

Odisha Excise Minister Ananga Udaya Singdeo resigned on Thursday taking moral responsibility for hooch tragedy that killed 34 people on Tuesday.

Over 50 persons are still struggling for life after they consumed spurious liquor. Meanwhile, four persons died in SCB Medical Collage, Cuttack, which raised the hooch toll to 34.

In his resignation to Chief Minister Naveen Pattnaik, Singhdeo said that he is very shocked over the unfortunate incident and as a minister it is his duty to take the responsibility for the tragedy.

Chief Minister Naveen Pattnaik accepted the resignation and sent it to the Governor for necessary action.

Singdeo is a veteran politician and hailed from Bolangir Royal family. He has been representing Bolangir assembly constituency for long time.

Along with excise ministry, Singhdeo also has Planning and Coordination portfolio with him.

Singhdeo is the second minister of Naveen Pattnaik government who resigned on moral ground within 3 weeks.

Earlier on January 19, a senior cabinet minister Pradip Maharathy resigned from the cabinet after allegations of his involvement in the much hyped Pipili gang rape case.