Delhi government has reduced the minimum age limit for drinking alcohol from 25 to 21 years. Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia made this announcement on Monday under the New Excise Policy. Sisodia said that the drinking age in Delhi will now be 21 years instead of 25, like Noida UP is in. Children below 21 years of age will not be allowed to enter premises where there is alcohol. The government has decided that no new liquor shops will open. No new shop opened in Delhi from 2016 onwards, nor will they open new ones in future. 60% are government shops, where a lot of tax evasion takes place.
Delhi New Liquor Policy:
- Delhiites, under the new excise system, will be able to fill their bottles or ‘growlers’ with freshly brewed beer from any microbrewery in the city. The policy allows microbreweries to supply draught beer to bars.
- Each customer will be given access inside the vend and the entire liquor selection and sale process will be completed within the vend premise.
- The vends will need to be air-conditioned and well lit and glass doors.
- They will have CCTV cameras installed inside and outside the shop and the recording will be maintained minimum for a period of one month.
- Adequate security arrangements will be provided by the licensee in and around each vend.
- Licensee will also be responsible for law and order and security around their shop.
- Bars have also been permitted to play any type of entertainment or performance, including music and musical instruments, dancing or singing by professionals or DJs, live bands and karaoke on its premises.
- In case the shop causes “nuisance” for the neighbourhood and a complaint is received by the government, the licence of that particular vend will be cancelled.
- There will be no restriction on the shelf life of opened liquor bottles at the bar counter.
- Super Premium Vends, which will set up a tasting room within the premise, can sell products only above Rs 200 MRP for beer and above Rs 1,000 Retail price for all other spirits, including but not limited to Whiskey, Gin, Vodka, Brandy, etc.
