Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan announced a judicial probe into last week's liquor tragedy that claimed 23 lives in the state's Malappuram district.
Speaking to reporters after the weekly cabinet meeting, Achuthanandan said the government would request the Kerala High Court to depute a judge to conduct the probe.
"In case we do not get a sitting judge from the high court, we will look into other ways. Rs5 lakh would be given to the family of each of those who died. Those who lost their eyesight would be given Rs4 lakh," said Achuthanandan.
The entire treatment expenses of those in the hospital would be borne by the state and the educational expenses of the children of the dead would also be taken care by the government, he said.
The victims had consumed toddy, which purportedly contained methyl alcohol, bought from five liquor shops in the Kuttipuram and Wandanoor area of the district, officials said last week.
