In the backdrop of the controversy over mushrooming of liquor shops in the city, the Delhi government on Wednesday said that no new liquor shop, except in malls, will come up in the national capital i
In the backdrop of the controversy over mushrooming of liquor shops in the city, the Delhi government on Wednesday said that no new liquor shop, except in malls, will come up in the national capital in the current financial year and the mohalla sabhas will be empowered to shut existing neighbourhood vends if there are complaints of “nuisance”.
As per the new policy approved by the AAP government, the rates of liquor will remain unchanged. In fact, rates have not been hiked in the last three years.
Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said that reporters the process to decide on shifting a shop to another area, with prior approval, will be initiated once 10 per cent voters of a mohalla sabha submit a written complaint in this regard.
The city has around 380 government-run liquor shops (L6), while 87 are run privately (L7). New licences have not been issued in the last 10 years. The restrictions will cover L6 and L7 shops, although L10 licences for shops in malls will be granted.
Mr Sisodia, who addressed a press conference with chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, said that owners and managers of liquor vends would be acted against, to the extent of cancellation of licences if there are reports of nuisance in the vicinity of their stores.
“Many people are troubled by liquor vends in their localities as people drink publicly and create nuisance. Women feel unsafe to venture out, as they feel unsafe in such an environment. So we have taken these two decisions,” Mr Kejriwal said.
The decision came amid a campaign by Swaraj Abhiyan, led by Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan, against “proliferation” of liquor vends in the city.
