AAP government to crack down on public boozing

The Delhi government will launch a crackdown against people drinking in public places and near liquor shops from Tuesday, with the excise department’s special teams geared up for strict action against the violators.

According to the government, it will strictly enforce the Excise Act under which consuming alcohol at public places attracts a fine of Rs 5,000, which can even go up to Rs 10,000 with a jail term of three months if the offender creates nuisance.

In October, deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia had announced the drive after he, during an inspection at a liquor shop in Mayur Vihar, found that people were drinking alcohol near liquor shops and creating ruckus, thus causing inconvenience to the residents, especially women.

“The Excise Department has formed 10 special teams to launch a drive against people drinking in the open especially near liquor shops tomorrow onwards. Strict action, including arrest of violators, will be taken by the department officers,” said a senior government official.

During a seven-day campaign which concluded on Monday, the department appealed to people not to drink in public places citing rules.

“If someone is found consuming alcohol in public places and near liquor shops, we will get them arrested under the existing Excise Act from November 7. We will also impose fines of Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 on violators,” Mr Sisodia had said in October.

In August, the AAP government had announced that no new liquor shops will come up in Delhi this year and mohalla sabhas will be empowered to shut existing neighbourhood vends if there are complaints of “nuisance”.

According to the policy, the process to decide on shutting a shop will be initiated once 10 per cent voters of a mohalla sabha submit a written complaint in this regard.