Actress Kasthuri Shankar has strongly criticised the Tamil Nadu government's decision to provide financial assistance to the victims of the Kallakurichi Hooch tragedy in Tamil Nadu. 

In a post shared on X, she questioned why assistance is given to those who died from consuming spurious liquor while other deserving persons like sportspersons, soldiers, scientists or farmers do not receive similar support.

"Rs 10 lakh. Is the amount given to athletes, soldiers, scientists, or farmers who sacrifice their lives? Instead, it's given to those who died after consuming spurious liquor without considering their families. Is this the Dravidian model—work, drink, and earn Rs 10 lakh? ...," Kasthuri wrote on X. 

Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin announced Rs 10 lakh each to the family of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each for persons under treatment. A one-man commission, comprising former judge Justice B. Gokuldas, was announced to probe the matter, and the report was to be submitted within 3 months.

Meanwhile, the death toll in the Kallakurichi Hooch tragedy has risen from 50 to 53, officials said on Saturday. Kallakurichi District Collector MS Prasanth said that out of the total 193 persons who consumed illicit liquor, 140 are currently safe.