Delhi finally gets its booze act together
06 Oct 2010
Delhi, which has been following the outdated Punjab Excise Act 1914 all these years, has finally got its own excise act.
The main change in the Delhi Excise Act 2010, which came into effect from Monday, is a heavy increase in the fine for public drinking.
Further, it brings down the age of those who can serve liquor to 21 years, even as the legal age for drinking remains 25. It also allows women bartenders in five-star hotels.
The fine for consumption of liquor in public places will now be Rs5,000 from the present Rs200. If a person creates a nuisance while drinking in public, the fine doubles.
Persons allowing drunkenness on the premises of liquor outlets can be fined up to Rs50,000. The radius around schools and religious places where liquor cannot be sold has now been increased to 100 metres instead of the earlier 75 metres.
Delhi finance minister A K Walia said the act sharpens the teeth of the excise department, which will now be able to crack down on instances of spurious liquor being manufactured, as well as put an end to consumption of liquor in public places.