© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
In the wake of several complaints regarding the unavailability of brands, overpricing, and selling of alcohol to underage buyers, the Excise department has written to all four corporations in Delhi to keep strict vigil on their retail vends, warning that the licences will be “cancelled” in case of violations, said officials.
The department also issued an advisory on Wednesday in this regard. “…a lot of complaints are being received against retail vends operated by government agencies regarding overcharging, non-availability of brands, misbehaviour by vending staff, selling liquor to underage buyers, public nuisance near the vend… During routine inspection, an L-6 vend was (found to be) involved in the act of adulterating of liquor and the same being sold at the said vend…Subsequently, an FIR was registered and license of the said vend was cancelled,” read the advisory.
After the AAP’s ambitious excise policy was scrapped in 2022, the old regime was brought in, allowing only vends operation under four corporations — Delhi State Industrial & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (DSIIDC), Delhi Consumer’s Cooperative Wholesale Store Ltd (DCCWS), Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC) and Delhi State Civil Supplies Corporation Limited (DSCSC) — to sell alcohol.
The act of adulteration of liquor or mixing noxious substances with liquor has been classified as a major offence in the Delhi Excise Act, 2009 and Delhi Excise Rules, 2010.
“Such acts not only bring disrepute and dishonor to the department but such spurious liquor can cause harm to public health and safety,” said an official.
Further, the Excise department asked the corporations to ensure that no such incident is repeated at their vends in future and ” also address the above said grievances of consumers and take necessary measures.”
