Keep age proof handy at liquor shops in city

The excise department has directed all liquor shops in Delhi to ask for an age proof before selling alcohol to the youth in order to prevent underage drinking. Concerned over the number of complaints regarding selling of liquor to underage customers, the department has asked inspectors to carry out regular checks at all liquor vends. Neelam Pandey reports.

The excise department has directed all liquor shops in Delhi to ask for an age proof before selling alcohol to the youth in order to prevent underage drinking.

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Concerned over the number of complaints regarding selling of liquor to underage customers, the department has asked inspectors to carry out regular checks at all liquor vends.

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Though the rule was already in place but it was never enforced.

"We carry out surprise checks with police to find out whether any underage person is being sold alcohol or not. We had received a few complaints about restaurants violating the rule. We had issued a circular to all restaurants/resto-bars that no person below the age of 25 is served alcohol," said a senior excise department official.

Recently, the Delhi police had also issued an order directing liquor vendors to ensure that alcohol should not be sold to minors. "They were also asked to display a board proclaiming 'sale of liquor to any person below 25 years of age is a punishable offence'. If any minor is found purchasing or consuming liquor near the shop, necessary action under section 188 IPC (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) will be initiated against the vendors," said a senior Delhi police official.

Last year, the Delhi government had asked all liquor shops to install CCTVs inside and outside their shops to check drinking in public places.