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Rationalisation of the current absurd policy of 25 years
as the minimum age for serving drinks in a public place to 21 years was
more a wishful thinking than expectation by the Generation Next who loves
to work hard and party hard and doesn't care about the absurd law, anyway.
The excise department, with an eye on the increase in
excise revenues, had recommended the lowering of age to 21, but the cabinet
decided to keep the issue first recommended in August 2007 by Dr. A.K.Walia,
the state finance minister, on the back burner, in order to avoid the
wrath of anti-alcohol lobby.
Supreme Court's decision last year to allow women to
bartend, gave the government a reason to allow women as bartenders. But
as the court was not specific on the age issue, they chose to keep it
as drinking age. 'When drinking age is 25, it is natural that the age
of women bartenders can't be less than that," Chief Minister Sheila
Dikshit told reporters after the cabinet meeting. This aspect of the Act
when formed is liked to be challenged for violation of the Supreme Court
Judgment last December.
"There had been opposition from Cabinet members
for reducing the age, nobody has accepted the age of 18. Hence, the age
for drinking remains as 25," said state finance minister Dr A K Walia
adding, "The cabinet felt youngsters should not be encouraged to
drink."
There are strict provisions for anti-smuggling and bootlegging
in the new Act, including auction of the vehicle in question, which should
find acceptance with all law abiding citizens.
The new Excise legislation will come into force in the
capital after it is approved by the Delhi Assembly. It will finally replace
the antiquated Punjab Excise Act 1914, which has been applicable to Delhi
as well. The Delhi Government has been working for sometime now to have
an independent Excise Act for the capital. Delhi Excise Bill 2007 approved
by the cabinet yesterday is the logical step to make the Act to be known
as Delhi Excise Act 2007.
The Congress controlled government is weary of BJP (the
main opposition party who is breathing down their neck to defeat them
in the next election), has been under attack for its 'liberal' excise
policy. All the seven ministers in the meeting felt it was too sensitive
a subject and should better be left alone till the elections are over.
The Bill makes buying and selling of alcoholic products
for people less than 21 years a criminal offence, implying that if one
is between 21 and 25, one can trade but mustn't touch.
The bill seeks to simplify the complex regime by changing
to only one ad-valorem duty. The wine importers have been dreading this
'simplification' as they believe that this would be a way of escalation
of duties. The cabinet had already cleared a proposal in March to charge
25% excise duty on the declared MRP. This proposal was surprisingly kept
in the cold storage as the new policy for 2008 commenced on April 1 this
year.
As confirmed by several importers under anonymity, the
department has been insisting for declaration of MRP at the time of registration
of labels, making them feel like a sitting duck. Of course, the consumer
and wine will be the ultimate losers.
In case one is still wondering about the permission to
sell in the Super markets, one needs to wait for another year-for a proposal
that has been fermenting for 2-3 years but never ready to be uncorked
to the waiting connoisseurs- due to political expediencies. In the meantime,
one has to drive down to Gurgaon to pick up their wine requirement, hopefully
kept at a fair temperature in a super market.
Subhash Arora>
The absurdity of the law needs no explanation. In a country where
you can get married at the age of 18, raise children at the age of 18,
you are expected to wait till 25 to start drinking. This is one of the
many factors contributing to what I have termed The Indian Paradox.
Indian Wine Academy does not wish to change its stand against excessive
alcohol drinking. The amount of alcohol being imbibed by the 18-25 age
groups is unhealthy, and dangerous. But the government cannot keep its
eyes closed to the reality. It should promote drives to focus on ill-effects
of excessive consumption rather than try to coerce the youth. The youth
today are more responsive to reason and rational regulations- editor
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