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'One who can vote, can also drink alcohol', Delhi government's argument in High Court

A PIL has been filed in the High Court against the decision of the Delhi Government on reducing the legal age of drinking alcohol. During this, the government's lawyer said that a person can vote at the age of 18 but cannot drink alcohol, this is beyond reality.


New Delhi: The Delhi government has defended the decision to lower the legal drinking age in the High Court. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government said in the High Court that when people above 18 years of age can vote, why can't they drink alcohol. The government also told the High Court that the decision to lower the legal drinking age has nothing to do with the offense of driving under the influence of alcohol.


Court sought response from the government

Actually a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed on behalf of 'Community Against Drunken Driving'. Therefore, the government has responded by citing drunken driving. It has been feared in the petition that by reducing the drinking age from 25 to 21, more cases of drunken driving may come to the fore.


Demand for a strong system

The petition has sought the government to set up a robust mechanism for mandatory age checks in liquor shops, bars and restaurants serving liquor with identity cards. Apart from this, a demand has been made to stop the Delhi government from implementing the new Excise Policy 2021-22, reducing the drinking age from 25 to 21 years until a strong age mechanism is implemented. According to sources, Senior advocates Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Rahul Mehra, appearing for the government, argued that on many pretexts, efforts are being made to stop this policy.


What is the age limit for drinking alcohol in other states-


Liquor is banned in these states


Bihar, Gujarat, Nagaland, Lakshadweep and Mizoram come under the list of dry states and union territories. There is a complete ban on alcohol in these states. There is a partial ban on alcohol in some districts of Manipur as well.


Age limit for alcohol is 25 years: In Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Maharashtra (earlier Delhi also came under this category) drinking alcohol is prohibited for those below 25 years of age.


Age limit for alcohol is 23 years: Before 2017, the minimum drinking age in Kerala was 21 years, which was later increased to 23 years.


Age limit for alcohol 21 years: In many states, the minimum age limit for drinking has been fixed at 21 years like Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Goa and many other states.


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