NEW DELHI: Delhi government reduced the drinking age in Delhi to 21, which was earlier fixed at 25 and prompted a large number of customers to move to NCR towns for liquor. The move is likely to give a new lease of life to the liquor and associated industries.
It is one of the many reforms under Delhi's new excise policy approved by the Arvind Kejriwal cabinet on Monday, said deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia at a press conference. The new policy will come into effect after it is notified in a couple of days.
Lower legal drinking age from 25 to 21: Delhi panel
With the new excise policy the government is ready to check the sale of spurious liquor and throw the liquor mafia out of trade.
Delhi high on plan to lower drinking age
Delhi government will also establish a quality check mechanism to ensure that the liquor sold in Delhi is of international standard. Delhi government, which currently runs 60% of the Capital's liquor vends, has decided to exit the liquor business and promote private participation to help the liquor vends get modernised.
The policy also includes equitable distribution of liquor because currently some areas of Delhi have higher concentration of liquor shops than others. All the reforms are estimated to result in 20% growth of excise revenue.