Sisodia orders inspection of all liquor shops in a week

New Delhi: Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia today ordered inspection of all liquor shops in the national capital within a week and said the Delhi government will formulate strict action plan against people found drinking in the open near alcohol vends.

“Ordered inspection of all liquor shops in Delhi within one week. Have called a meeting with excise officials tomorrow to formulate strict action plan against those consuming alcohol in the open near liquor shops,” the Deputy Chief Minister said in a series of tweets.

The move comes a day after he along with excise officials raided four liquor shops in Mayur Vihar Phase-2 area following complaints by the locals that people consume liquor in the open.

Lauding this move, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said this will bring “huge relief” to many residents in the city.

As per the existing excise rules, there is, a ban on consumption of liquor in public places and strict action is taken against the violators.

The AAP government had said no new liquor shops will come up in Delhi this year and mohalla sabhas will be empowered to shut existing neighbourhood vends if there are complaints of “nuisance”.

According to the policy, the process to decide on shutting a shop will be initiated once 10 per cent voters of a mohalla sabha submit a written complaint in this regard.