The Delhi government is set to introduce its own Excise Bill in the next Assembly session to ensure stricter laws on liquor consumption in the Capital.

The Delhi Excise Bill has been framed to replace the archaic Punjab Excise Act, 1914, that is applicable in the city till date. The Union Home ministry has finally approved the Bill and it is set to be tabled in the monsoon session of the Delhi Assembly, Newsline has learnt.

“We were planning to introduce it in the last session in June but the Centre approved it just a day before the session ended,” a senior Excise department official said. “So we will have to wait till the next session.”

While the Bill is expected to bring in stricter penalties for all liquor-related offences, the official said the minimum age for consumption of liquor has been kept at 25 years so far. “The Cabinet wanted to reduce the age limit to 21 years and may take a decision to reduce it before approving it in the Assembly,” the official added.

According to the official, the penalty for serving or selling alcohol to underage people has been increased from Rs 50 to Rs 5,000 in the Bill.

Among other penalties revised in the new Bill, the fine for consuming liquor at a public place will be increased from Rs 200 to Rs 5,000; in case the offender creates nuisance, the penalty amount may double and even lead to a jail term of three months.

... contd.