Don't be a spoilsport

Young Delhiites feel Rs 50,000 fine and non-bailable jail term on public drinking is a bit too much

Most of Delhi is cheering Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit's latest anti-drinking diktat. But there are a few who are not so happy at the government's plan to levy a hefty fine of Rs 50,000 on consumption of alcohol in public.

After the success of the ban on smoking in public places, the government is ready to impose a ban on consuming alcohol in pubic. The Delhi government is planning a bill that will provide for a fine of Rs 50,000 and a non-bailable jail term for consuming alcohol at a public place.

Although there is already a law in place to curb consumption of liquor at public places but it is 'too liberal'. The guilty have to deposit a nominal fine of Rs 200 and it is a bailable offence. The revised law, part of government's new excise bill, will be introduced in the winter session of the Delhi Assembly.

However, young professionals are sceptical that the move will meet the same fate as the ban on public smoking as well as dampen the party spirit in the national capital.

"Even though there is a complete ban on public smoking you can spot a number of people going scot free while having a puff at such places," said Imran Khan, an HR executive with a US multinational.

Gaurav Singh, who works for a BPO, said: "It will only dampen the party spirit as the alcohol served in bar and pubs is too expensive. This is the reason why liquor stores are used as best hangout zones. Also, the ban cannot be a success because even if the ban is enforced in Delhi people would head to satellite towns like Gurgaon, Noida or Faridabad."

But Aditya Singh, a telecaller with an MNC, begs to differ.

Welcoming the move, the 27-year-old executive said, "It seems that the government is serious about making Delhi a better place before the next year's Commonwealth games. Public drinking is social problem and cause lawlessness."

However, he was not sure whether the government would be able to enforce the law effectively or not. "Only time will tell how effective it remains."

Aditya is not alone. People living in the vicinity of liquor stores have also welcomed the move. "It's almost like an open bar near the Safdarjung market. Hooligans drink openly outside the liquor shop and create nuisance. We have complained several times to the local authorities but no action was taken. I think this is a good move by the Delhi government as hefty fine and penal action will prove an effective deterrent," said Jagdish Bhatia a resident of Safdarjung enclave.