Deploy guards to curb open drinking near liquor vends, Govt tells outlets

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government has directed liquor vends to deploy adequate number of guards to curb open drinking near the out

lets. In written directions, the excise department has asked

liquor vends that if any person is found consuming liquor around the vend, they should immediately contact local police station.

The department has also directed these establishments to install CCTV cameras that can capture footage within 50 metres. The directions were issued by Assistant Commissioner (Excise) J P Singh after a review.

According to the department's directions, liquor vends will exhibit prominently that consumption of liquor in a public place is punishable with fine and/or imprisonment as provided under Rule 65 of the Delhi Excise Rules, 2010.

“If any person is found consuming liquor around the vicinity of vend then they should immediately contact the concerned police station or inform to Control Room of Excise Department. Wherever required, adequate number of guards must be deployed at the vend,” Singh said in the direction. “Proper lighting arrangement should be maintained in and around the vend,” Singh also said.

In November 2016, the Delhi government launched a drive against open drinking. At that time Deputy CM Manish Sisodia had said that the government is committed to completely stop drinking in public as women feel unsafe because of this and it affects business in particular markets and places where such practice is adopted. According to the government, it was strictly enforced under the Excise Act that consuming alcohol at public places attracts a fine of Rs 5,000, which can even go up to Rs 10,000 with a jail term of three months if the offender creates nuisance.

Delhi government had announced a similar drive last month. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had said that consumption of alcohol in the open, particularly near liquor vends and in vehicles, is not merely a safety hazard but also a major problem in regard with women safety in the national capital.