Delhi drafts tough Bill,Rs 50k fine,jail term for drinking in public

The penalties proposed are a big jump from provisions of the Punjab Excise Act,followed till date in the Capital. Under the existing Act of 1914,those caught drinking in public places are liable to be penalised a measly Rs 200. It is a bailable offence,and offenders booked under this Act can walk free without having to spend a single minute in a lock-up — if the police ever do arrest them,which is a rarity.

The proposed Act also proposes death sentence for those caught manufacturing spurious liquor.

The excise Bill sorts violations of liquor consumption in open spaces in three categories. Offenders who consume liquor in a public place could be asked to cough up a fine of up to Rs 5,000. Those caught drinking at a public place and creating nuisance face a fine of up to Rs 10,000 and a maximum jail term of three months.

Those who allow assembly of unsocial elements near a liquor shop and encourage drunkenness can be jailed up to six months and asked to pay Rs 50,000,as per the government’s proposals.

Delhi Excise minister A K Walia said the move is to check drinking at public places. “I am confident that the strict punishments will deter people from consuming alcohol at public places,” he said. “We have allowed sale of liquor at shopping malls,but it does not mean we will take lenient approach against those who consume alcohol at public places.”

The proposed excise Act also says police stations may no longer be required to stock large amounts of liquor seized in various cases — a provision that often helps offenders escape effective prosecution. Malkhanas in police stations are usually full of liquor but non-production of such liquor vitiates the trial,an excise official said. This provision has been done away with in the proposed Act.