Tipplers’ need for spirit could be satiated closer to home as the Delhi Government plans to allow departmental stores in the neighbourhood to stock and sell wine and foreign liquor.
The Excise Department has recently granted L-53 licences for retail sale of beer and mixed alcoholic beverages through departmental stores in the city. Many feel that buying liquor at swanky departmental stores would be far better than jostling at the state-owned vending outlets.
When the Delhi government order is enforced, the neighbourhood departmental stores that sell fruits, vegetables and groceries will be able to sell liquor and like all spirit stores these too will be allowed to sell only till the 10 pm deadline. But sommeliers still have reasons to rejoice as these stores open early, much before the government regulated thekas that open shop at 1 pm.
A source in the department adds, “The sale of liquor would be allowed for nine hours between 10 am to 10 pm. The nine hour slot is for the vendor to decide, since in some areas stores could have a rush of morning customers, while others would like to sell stuff till 10 pm.”
Some Delhiites have concerns regarding booze being readily available to all, especially youngsters. They feel that those who earlier thought twice before venturing into a “forbidden” liquor store now won’t mind slipping a bottle into the shopping cart. Chandan Saini, student of Alliance Francaise, quips, “Youngsters would be less inhibited if liquor is sold alongside grocery items.” Abhay Kumar, a DU passout, seconds, “Although this will lead to easier availability of booze, the consumption may not skyrocket due to it. But stores should ensure that buyers are not underage, other than that everyone above the age of 25 can anyways buy liquor anywhere.”
The licenses bar the proposed departmental store from neing located within 75 metres of major educational institutions, religious places with covered area of more than 400 square feet and hospitals with 50 beds and more. Reflecting on the order, Anchal Dhar, national president of the NGO, Leaders for Tomorrow Foundation, avers, “I am not surprised at this. Even the basics of not having liquor shops near schools has been followed and as a result, liquor will be now available closer home. So, we can all imagine the effect it may have.”
Manika Chawla, web designer, chips in, saying, “It’s not as if it’s difficult to procure liquor in the city, it’s readily available. But alcohol won’t join cosmetics and toiletries on people’s shopping list, they’ll still prefer to go to thekas for booze.”
Ankur Mehta, engineering student, seconds this. He sums up, saying, “Departmental stores will add their own taxes and the liquor there will end up becoming more expensive. At thekas there are products available to suit all pockets.”