25 and Above: Delhi to Retain Alcohol Age Bar

Delhi's legal drinking age is unlikely to be lowered from 25 years as the government prepares a new excise policy after nearly three years of uncertainty, senior officials aware of the matter have said.

- Alok KN Mishra

NEW DELHI:

The government is examining liquor regulations across six states — Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Karnataka — to cherry-pick best practices for a regulation that has been a vexed issue.

"The objective is to create a non-adventurous policy that balances public interest with efficient regulation," a senior excise official said, asking not to be named.

Along with holding status quo on the legal drinking age, the city is also likely to continue its ban on home delivery of liquor.

Officials familiar with the matter said the objective is to ensure consumers have access to quality liquor while illegal sales are curbed, protecting public health and enhancing business operations.

The excise policy's last major overhaul ended in a political quagmire for the Aam Aadmi Party after it was accused of impropriety.

"We've held several meetings where we have explored ideas for the policy. The goal is to guarantee quality liquor supply, reduce illicit sales, ensure public safety, and promote ease of doing business. Increasing revenue by plugging regulatory gaps is also a priority," one of these people said.