E-Paper
BJP leaders meet Delhi L-G against excise policy
The party has objected to the government’s decision to lower the drinking age and to privatise 500 government-run liquor shops. The delegation met Anil Baijal and demanded that the policy be stayed
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday submitted a memorandum to lieutenant governor (L-G) Anil Baijal against the Delhi government’s new excise policy. It has objected to the government’s decision to lower the drinking age and to privatise 500 government-run liquor shops.
A delegation led by Delhi BJP chief Adesh Gupta and Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, leader of the opposition in the Delhi assembly, met the L-G and demanded that the policy be stayed.
Also Read | Modi insecure about Kejriwal, BJP wants NCT Bill to stem his popularity: Sisodia
Gupta said that the proposal to privatise liquor shops smacks of corruption. “Before the 1980s liquor trade in Delhi was in the hands of private traders and after regular complaints of sale of spurious liquor etc, the then Delhi government took over the liquor trade and opened government shops, which have served Delhi for the last around 40 years…. The very fact that in one go 500 liquor shops licenses are being offered to private liquor traders smacks of a possible nefarious deal between the Delhi government and liquor lobby and this needs to stalled,” said the memorandum.
The BJP has objected to the government’s decision to ensure equitable distribution of vends in the city. The BJP said that as per the proposal, there will be at least three liquor vends in each municipal ward. “This is likely to disturb peace and law and order in many residential colonies. Women’s organisations and RWAs [Residents Welfare Associations] are already protesting against this decision. It is strange that instead of working for equal distribution of water, the government is trying to ensure equal distribution of liquor,” said Gupta.
Bidhuri called the decision to lower the drinking age from 25 to 21 unwanted and said it should be stalled.
Stay updated with all top Cities including, Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai and more across India. Stay informed on the latest happenings in World News along with Delhi Election 2025 and Delhi Election Result 2025 Live, New Delhi Election Result Live, Kalkaji Election Result Live at Hindustan Times.
