Over the next few months, as Delhi sees a debate on whether its legal drinking age should be lowered from 25 to 21 years, restaurateurs are ready to lobby the government that has said it’s open to the suggestion.
According to a senior government functionary, however, any change in the existing excise policy would only be possible in next year’s Budget.
“There is no proposal seeking a change in the legal drinking age at the moment so the question of consideration does not arise,” said the official.
“But, a debate on the issue -- which comes in the wake of Union Ministers and the Centre attempting to police people's lifestyles – has been triggered which is in line with the government's view that such issues need to be discussed in the public domain,” the official added.
On September 23, Delhi Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra told the annual general meeting of the National Restaurants’ Association of India (NRAI) that the government shouldn’t be telling people what to do with their personal lives. He told the group of restaurateurs that if they came up with the proposal to make the drinking age 21, like it is in most parts of the world, the government would look into it.
Mr. Mishra told The Hindu on Saturday that the existing legal age was only leading to harassment of restaurant and bar owners. “Such a redundant law has led to black marketing and corruption. No government has the right to interfere in personal matters of citizens. It is high time that we change it,” said Mr. Mishra.
So, to set the ball rolling, the NRAI will be presenting a proposal to the government within a week to lower the drinking age to 21 years, said its president Riyaaz Amlani.
This isn’t the first time that the Delhi Government has tried to lower the drinking age. Former Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit failed to implement the change, coming up against opposition from within the Congress as well as the BJP. This time too, there appears to be a difference in opinion between the party and its Ministers. As far as the AAP, which is eyeing the Punjab polls where drug and alcohol abuse are significant issues, is concerned, any change in the existing policy might impact its prospects in the rural belt where it seeks to establish a foothold.
“We have reason to believe that treading with caution on the issue is of utmost importance at the moment,” a senior party member said.
AAP leader Sanjay Singh tweeted: “The Delhi Government is not making any change in the excise policy and there is no need to fan speculation over the issue. There is no need to decrease the legal drinking age.”
In comparison, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said the government would consider lowering the drinking age if there was a demand from the industry and the public.
