Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal says residents will decide on the future of current liquor shops
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced today that no new liquor shops will be allowed in Delhi this year and the future of existing ones will be decided by residents.
"If people are upset with liquor shops, then mohalla sabhas (neighbourhood meetings) will decide whether to shift them or shut them down," Mr Kejriwal said.
At these meetings, there should at least be 15 per cent neighbourhood voters and a third of the gathering should be women. A decision needs to be backed by a two-thirds majority.
Liquor franchisees need to ensure that there are no brawls outside their shops, asserted the chief minister.
But sources say the move has come after, Mr Kejriwal was taunted by the group Swaraj Abhiyan, which accused him and his Aam Aadmi Party of going back on a key election promise to reduce drinking in the capital.
The group launched by expelled AAP leaders Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan said that since February, when the Kejriwal government came to power, 58 new liquor shops have opened.
Bihar banned liquor in March and has, over the months, introduced stiff penalties not just for those caught with alcohol at home but also their adult family members.
Tamil Nadu has promised to introduce prohibition in phases. Three other states - Gujarat, Nagaland and Manipur - have liquor bans in place.