CUTTACK: The Justice A S Naidu Commission of Inquiry into the spurious drugs/liquor tragedy on Sunday submitted its interim report to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. The tragedy claimed more than 35 lives in Cuttack and Khurda districts in February. Into its fourth sitting, the commission had in its last sitting committed to file an interim report in a week. The report suggested precautionary measures to curb manufacture and sale of spurious alcohol-laced medicinal formulations for preventing recurrence of such tragedies. The commission, however, has not expressed any opinion on deliberate omissions and commissions by officials of different departments. The next sitting will be on May 27 even as the commission on Sunday again voiced its dissatisfaction over non-appointment of Government advocate for conduct of the proceedings. The Government, though, appointed advocate PR Das as the amicus curiae to assist the commission in its proceedings. Justice Naidu has also expressed displeasure over the fact that affidavits have not been filed by authorities of the Health Department on an issue that concerns the health administration. He directed the Health and Family Welfare Secretary to file an affidavit detailing measures taken by the department before and after the incident. The Drug Controller, who was in position during the incident, has also not filed an affidavit. He has been directed to file an affidavit too. The Excise Department has also been directed to produce the list of the licence-holders of methyl alcohol and the quantity supplied to each of them. The names of owners of the medical shops, where the so-called contaminated medicines were sold, should also be produced. About 66 affidavits, including nine on Sunday, have been filed till now.
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