Supreme Court sought answer from the Center
The Supreme Court on Monday sought the Centre’s response on a petition regarding mandatory age norms for liquor shops and other selling points. The court has requested for instructions to make effective age rules and a strong policy. The petition states that the excise policy of various states has age-related laws, under which it is illegal for a person below a certain age to consume or possess alcohol. Despite this, there is no concrete system to check the age of consumers or buyers at places of sale or consumption of liquor.
Protest against supply of liquor at home
The petition opposes the policy of home supply of liquor. It was also argued that this would increase the addiction of drinking alcohol among younger people. The petition came up for hearing before a bench of Justice BR Gavai and Justice KV Vishwanathan.
The minimum age for drinking alcohol in the country is 18 to 25 years.
It is known that in various states and union territories of the country, the minimum legal age for drinking alcohol has been fixed between 18 to 25 years. Despite this, in many places people under the age of 18 are also seen drinking alcohol.
There is no system to check age
Non-governmental organization (NGO) ‘Community Against Drunken Driving’ has filed this petition. His lawyer Vipin Nair argued during the hearing that there is no system to check the age of consumers or buyers in liquor shops, bars, pubs etc. It said that a concrete policy in this regard would help in reducing and preventing the problem of drunk driving and would also curb underage drinking.
50 thousand rupees fine and 3 months jail
The petitioner suggested that a fine of Rs 50,000 or three months’ jail or both should be imposed on a person found guilty of selling, serving or providing liquor to minors. The Centre, all states and union territories have been made respondents in the petition.
Hearing will be held after three weeks
The bench said that it will issue a notice to the Center on this petition and seek its reply. The court said, ‘The notice should be limited to respondent number one (Union of India).’ The next hearing of the case will be after three weeks. The petition has sought directions to formulate and implement a policy for mandatory age verification at all shops, pubs or bars serving liquor.
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