Ahead of New Year celebrations, the Chandigarh Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CCPCR) has issued an advisory to the excise and taxation department, UT Chandigarh, flagging concerns over easy access to alcohol and tobacco by children and adolescents at public venues.
The advisory has urged hotels, bars, restaurants, clubs, pubs and shops to strictly comply with provisions of the Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act, 2015, and the Excise Policy. It calls for mandatory age verification through valid government-issued identity cards, prominent display of warning signages, and enhanced surveillance through CCTV cameras to prevent the sale or exchange of prohibited substances to minors.
CCPCR chairperson Shipra Bansal said that while New Year celebrations are a time of joy, they should not compromise children’s safety or future. She noted that parties and public gatherings often become hotspots for minors accessing alcohol and tobacco, terming it both a moral failure and a serious legal offence.
The commission has also appealed to parents and guardians to remain vigilant and ensure that children are in safe environments during the festivities.