The legal age for drinking in Delhi has been brought down from 25 to 21, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia informed on Monday, March 22. Announcing a new liquor policy, he said the Delhi government is expecting a hike of at least 20 per cent in its annual excise revenue with the reforms, states NDTV.
The revised drinking policy that lowers the legal age of drinking from 25 to 21 made sense as per HT which noted that Delhi is the only metropolitan city with a minimum drinking age as high – even in Mumbai, only hard liquor is barred for those under 25 while wine and beer are allowed at 21. In major global cities such as New York and London, the drinking age is 21 and 18 respectively. AAP also took to Twitter to note that the reformed drinking age was at par with that in neighbouring Noida, UP.
“The new excise policy was approved by the Cabinet today on basis of the recommendations of the Group of Ministers. It was decided that no new liquor shops will be opened in the national capital and the government will not run any liquor shops. At present, 60 per cent liquor shops in Delhi are run by the government.”
— – Manish Sisodia, Deputy Chief Minister, Delhi
Apart from changes in the minimum drinking age, another major announcement made by Sisodia was that the Delhi government will no longer run liquor stores in the city and that no new liquor shops will be opened in the national capital, as stated by India Today .
“Government will ensure equitable distribution of liquor shops so that liquor mafia are thrown out of the trade. A revenue growth of 20 per cent is estimated after the reforms in the excise department .”
— – Manish Sisodia, Deputy Chief Minister, Delhi
The updated drinking policy seems to be an optimistic move towards boosting the economy and works in the vested interests of the citizen.
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