Delhi Govt Not To Operate Any Liquor Shops, Lowers Drinking Age From 25 To 21

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who announcing changes in the excise policy, said the Delhi Government will not operate any liquor shops.

Liquor being served | File Image

The Delhi Government on Monday announced a new excise policy for the national capital in a bid to do away with liquor syndicates and decided all liquor shops in the national capital will be run through private vendors. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who announcing changes in the excise policy, said the Delhi Government will not operate any liquor shops.

He added that a bidding process following the changes would be conducted soon. “It was decided that no new liquor shops will be opened in the national capital and the government will not run any liquor shops,” ANI quoted Sisodia as saying while addressing a press conference.

"Government will ensure equitable distribution of liquor shops so that liquor mafia are thrown out of the trade. Revenue growth of 20 per cent is estimated after the reforms in the excise department," he added.

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The Deputy Chief Minister added 60 per cent of liquor shops in Delhi are currently run by the government.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal hailed his government’s decision and said this will act as a major blow to the liquor mafia.

Kejriwal said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government in Delhi has “ended mafia raj in many sectors”, adding they are “committed to reforming this sector too”.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Cabinet on Monday also approved lowering the minimum age for consumption of liquor to 21 years from 25 years in the national capital.