Leader of the Opposition, Chhagan Bhujbal, said the Government was "responsible" for the deaths. "We condemn the Government for not taking proper steps to avoid these deaths and control the epidemic of gastro. It is sad that the State helps the relatives of those who die after drinking spurious liquor but refuses to help the kin of these five people," he said.

Answering questions, Health Minister Daulat Aher said, "An inquiry has revealed that the deaths occurred due to negligence on part of Medical superintendent of the rural hospital in Dhule district. Also, the health assistant and the gramsevak of the village, were found responsible for the deaths. The three have been suspended forthwith and a departmental inquiry has been initiated against them. The relatives ofthe deceased have been given Rs 5,000 each."

However, this failed to satisfy the Opposition which demanded that the compensation be hiked to Rs 1 lakh. "If dying from drinking khopdi entitles a person to Rs one lakh, more money should be given in this case," said Chandrakant Raghuvanshi.