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 ‘Swaraj Abhiyan demands closure of wine shop in Delhi. Alleging that 58 wine shops have opened up in Delhi ever since the AAP government came to power, Swaraj Abhiyan demanded closure of a liquor outlet in Kotla- Mubarakpur’. I read the headlines in Indian Express yesterday morning and did not let them bother me. There appeared to be feud between the expelled AAP leaders Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav and the party leader Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Minister of Delhi.
But the headlines sent to me from a wine friend in France a couple of hours later, made me think and worry. A well-wisher of the Indian wine industry, who knows my crusade for wine promotion, sent to me an urgent note and asked if the closure of 58 wine shops would affect the retailing of wines in Delhi.
Historically, the liquor shops have been called ‘Wine and Beer’ shops all over India for inexplicable reasons but the legacy was left behind by the British and went un-noticed till wine made an entry into the Indian alcohol scene-in a small way till the 1990s but making a significant appearance during the last 15 years. It has been a favourite party joke in the cocktail circuit. But it does have a serious impact when this perpetuates confusion between wine and liquor, an important reason why wine culture has not been able to perpetuate despite serious attempts and a plethora of information because of studies that it is better for health, is a low alcohol product-IF taken in moderation.
Claiming that the shop was allowed to be opened in Kotla-Mubarakpur despite protests from local residents, Swaraj Abhiyan, the organisation led by expelled AAP leaders Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav, have reportedly said that if it is not shut by August 10, a movement will be launched.
It alleges that AAP had promised a liquor-free Delhi ( pipe dream) but it has not been supporting the same and the excise department has spent precious little on de-addiction awareness drive- only Rs 7,76,000 and that too without any details. It also claims that during the first term of the AAP government, the number of liquor shops was 595 and revenue earned was Rs 830 Crores (Rs. 8.3 b). In the second tenure from February 14, 2015 to June 4, 2016, new licence for 58 shops were issued and revenue earned is over Rs 1,500 Crores (Rs. 15 b).
 The panic message from my overseas friend made me take note. There must be other people throughout the world who might have read the report and panicked! I met the owner, stern- faced Anil Chawla who seemed to have come straight from the Bollywood but visibly harassed and stressed. Several calls kept interrupting our conversation, perhaps because of the expected demonstration on August 11. He has no plans to vacate or close down under duress.
‘I have a valid L-7 License which was given to me when I shifted my shop from GT Karnal Road-after surrendering my license.’ He did not know why there was a protest but he did concede that the neighbours inside and across the small gali (passage) had raised protest although many had come and congratulated him to opening a retail shop.. Reason-it is a pretty modern liquor shop with 7-ton air-conditioning most of which seemed to be directed towards the cold storage room which at this time was full of chilled bear boxes- not a single bottle of wine.
The shop opened only on July 16 and a lot of setting up was going on- a few wine labels were strewn across different shelves with Sula Brut, Chandon, Fratelli and Jacobs Creek. He wasn’t convinced when I told him that he should keep the wine inside the cool storage room-on priority; perhaps he is a beer connoisseur.
Regarding new licenses, his explanation was that the new licenses were given to either the malls or the shops selling wine and beer. Since the shop is located right across the street from the upmarket Defence Colony and with several beer and wine coolers visible, he is expecting to do good business for the residents who already have access to wine and beer in the two retail shops, Taste and Defence Store-both having the license to sell only wine and beer and are doing reasonably well. Chawla also needs to contend with the old government shop in the basement of a an old and dilapidated building facing the long road.
 This brings focus on the so called ‘Wine and Beer Shops’ emerging all-over India. It’s time the government takes pro-active steps to call them Liquor shops. Only when they sell only Wine and Beer should they label themselves. Swaraj Abhiyan or any other social organisation is welcome to protest. In fact, they should also protest against calling these shops Wine and Beer Shops and camouflaging liquor which is the most sold commodity by them. They must protest against issuing new licenses but realize that the population and area of Delhi is on the increase and it may not be easy for the alcohol-ridden people to find their tipple. But the new licenses issued for wine and beer should be welcome. Ditto with liquor shops in the Malls.
The protestors are perhaps chopping their toes with their axe when they protest against the increased excise revenues. They are in fact recognising the wonderful work done by AAP. Despite the police not being with them, the local excise department has been able to increase the revenues simply by preventing the leaks and keeping very tight controls. Thanks to their vigilance, the revenues have shot up-not by giving more licenses.
And my friend would be happy to know that things are quite well with wines-well not any worse than last year-except that the licensing is being delayed-the policy that was supposed to be announced in April has still not been announced. There is ad-hoc extension being given month after month, with no clarity in sight. One hears of reforms being under plans. Only time will tell what happens in the next year policy. In the meanwhile Wine and Beer shops continue to focus on liquor and beer though.
Subhash Arora |