Excise official says toll now 6, minister pegs deaths at four

The toll in the consumption of alleged adulterated toddy in Kukatpally and surrounding areas of Hyderabad ‘went up to six on Thursday, while another 44 people were undergoing treatment at various hospitals, officials familiar with the matter said.

- Srinivasa Rao Apparasu

Telangana health minister C Damodar Rajanarasimha, however, put the toll at four till now. The minister visited the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) on Thursday and enquired about the health condition of the people who are undergoing treatment.

“As per our information, four people died due to alleged consumption of adulterated toddy. While 31 people are undergoing treatment at the NIMS, six others are being treated at the state-run Gandhi Hospital, and seven others are undergoing treatment in different private hospitals,” Rajanarasimha told reporters.

He said the condition of 27 patients admitted at the NIMS was stable and they would be discharged in four or five days. “Four others are undergoing dialysis and their condition is being monitored,” the minister said, adding that he had instructed the health officials to provide better medical services to the affected people.

Rajanarasimha said the government would conduct a thorough investigation and added that stern action will be taken against those responsible. Measures will be taken to prevent such incidents from recurring, he said.

An excise department official who preferred anonymity, said six people died due to consumption of adulterated toddy so far.