Delhiites can decide to shut liquor shops

Delhiites can now take a call on shutting neighbourhood liquor shops if they create a nuisance in their areas by voting them out, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government said on Tuesday.

In August last year, the government had announced that people would be empowered to shut existing neighbourhood vends if there were complaints of “nuisance”.

The Delhi government said in a first, two liquor shops were voted for closure on Monday in the locality of Rohini.

“Liquor shops, including those running legally, will face the public scrutiny if there are any problems to the residents of the area. The residents will now be free to approach their respective MLAs and district administration with their complaints against such vends,” the Delhi government said.

It stated thereafter, the MLA in coordination with the administration would call a meeting of the residents and resident welfare associations, and decide on the future of the liquor shop through voting and hearing.

“Once the voting process and hearing is done, the local police and department of excise will submit a report for closure of the particular shop,” an official said.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had last year said the process to decide on shutting a shop would be initiated once 10 per cent voters of a ‘ mohalla sabha’ give a written complaint.