The Delhi government enacted a revised excise policy on Monday, reducing the legal drinking age to 21 years. Previously, the legal drinking age in Delhi was 25 years old.
Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia announced the decision by saying that there will be no government liquor stores in the city and that no new liquor stores will be opened in the capital.
Sisodia also stated that the new policy’s primary focus would be on preventing tax and duty evasion. During a press conference, he said, “Revenue is forecast to increase by 20%.”
After a government committee proposed raising the drinking age to 21 and lowering the number of dry days to three per year, the decision was made. In September, Sisodia established a committee under the chairmanship of the excise commissioner.
Liquor is one of Delhi’s most lucrative sources of revenue, with the city gaining around Rs 5,400 crore from its sale in 2019-20.
The panel also recommended establishing a new policy for granting retail licenses to department stores for the sale of beer, wine, and other “soft liquor categories,” as well as reforming hospitality industry policies to make it easier for hotels, clubs, and restaurants to do business.
“The government will ensure that liquor stores are distributed fairly so that the liquor mafia is driven out of business. The excise department reforms are expected to result in a 20% increase in revenue “Added he.
Only Delhi had a high drinking age; even in Mumbai, only hard liquor is prohibited for those under the age of 25, while wine and beer are permitted at the age of 21. The drinking age in big worldwide cities such as New York and London is 21 and 18, respectively.
